Romania’s gambling and recreational activities sector recorded a 20.1% year-on-year decline in turnover in July 2026, according to data published by the National Institute of Statistics (INS).
The category recorded the largest annual decline among the market services tracked by the INS. Hotel and restaurant turnover fell 10% while hairdressing and other beauty services decreased 2.3%. Overall market services provided to the population were down 8.7% in gross terms.
Gambling and recreational turnover did increase 1.1% compared with June. However, the longer-term figures showed continued contraction, with turnover during the first seven months of 2026 falling 16.6% against the corresponding period in 2025.
The figures follow a period of regulatory change for Romania’s land-based gambling sector. Emergency Ordinance 7/2026, which entered into force in February, introduced an additional local authorisation requirement and gave municipal councils powers over whether gambling activities can operate within their jurisdictions.
Industry data cited by Romslot previously showed that the number of slot machines operating in Romania fell 44% between 2023 and 2025, from 80,000 to approximately 45,000. The trade association also reported a decline in nominal market turnover from €2bn ($2.3bn) to €1.2bn over the period.
The contraction has continued during 2026. Data reported in August showed 29,014 gaming devices remained operational from 45,659 authorised in 2025. Gambling authorisation fee receipts also fell from RON 485m between February and May 2025 to RON 300m during the corresponding period this year.
Romania has also raised the tax burden on gambling operators. Legislation introduced in 2025 set the operating authorisation tax for Class 1 remote gambling at 30% of gambling revenue, subject to a minimum annual payment of €480,000, while the annual authorisation fee for Class A slot machines increased to €6,000 per machine.
Political debate has subsequently extended to online gambling. Former Finance Minister and Social Democratic Party MP Adrian Câciu proposed a tax on online gambling transactions that would be collected through banks, as regulatory pressure continues across the sector.
The INS figures combine gambling with other recreational activities, meaning the reported 20.1% decline does not represent gambling turnover alone
