Romania's National Anti-corruption Directorate (DNA) has carried out searches at the headquarters of the National Office for Gambling (ONJN), marking the latest development in a series of corruption investigations involving the country's gambling regulator.
Romanian state news agency AGERPRES first reported the searches on 29 July, citing judicial sources. The agency said prosecutors were conducting searches at ONJN's headquarters but did not disclose the offences being investigated or identify any suspects.
ONJN later confirmed the investigation concerns four officials from its control and authorisation departments. The regulator said it is cooperating with prosecutors and providing all requested documentation as the investigation continues.
ONJN President Vlad Soare said: "The integrity of the institution is a priority."
The investigation comes at a significant time for Romania's regulated gambling market. Over the past year, authorities have sought to tighten regulatory oversight through legislative reforms affecting both land-based and online gambling, while operators have continued to adapt to changing compliance requirements.
The regulator's control department oversees compliance by licensed operators, while its authorisation division is responsible for licensing and other approvals required to participate in Romania's regulated gambling market.
Any investigation involving these functions is therefore likely to attract close attention from operators and suppliers active in the jurisdiction.
The searches also follow a separate DNA investigation launched earlier this year involving former ONJN President Odeta Nestor. Prosecutors allege Nestor brokered a €100,000 ($113,500) bribe intended to prevent regulatory scrutiny of a major casino jackpot investigation.
She remains under house arrest while criminal proceedings continue. The allegations have not been proven in court.
Romania's gambling sector has also been undergoing broader structural changes. Municipal authorities have been granted greater influence over the placement of land-based gambling venues, while policymakers continue to review measures intended to strengthen supervision of remote gambling operators and improve regulatory transparency.
Earlier this month, ONJN launched a public consultation on new remote gambling standards covering game rules, promotional terms, test accounts and virtual credits as part of its programme to strengthen oversight of Romania's regulated online gambling market.
Romania's remote gambling market is licensed nationally by ONJN, while recent legislative reforms have expanded the role of local authorities in approving certain land-based gambling locations
