Bucharest prosecutors have concluded three plea agreements in a corruption case involving an alleged attempt to influence Romania’s gambling regulator over disputed betting winnings.
The agreements, signed on 22 October, concern one defendant investigated for buying influence and two others investigated for complicity. They have been submitted to the Bucharest court, which may accept or reject them.
According to prosecutors, the first defendant placed approximately 300 betting slips that he claimed entitled him to around €100,000 ($112,000) in winnings. The bookmaker refused payment, citing breaches of its game rules, and ordered the stakes returned.
The defendant subsequently submitted several complaints to the National Office for Gambling (ONJN) but was dissatisfied with its responses.
Prosecutors say that between 3 August and 10 September, he approached an ONJN inspector through two intermediaries, believing the inspector could influence officials handling the complaints.
The inspector reported the approach to investigators on 5 August.
The intermediaries allegedly maintained contact, supplied documents and discussed payment terms. At a meeting on 10 September, the bettor personally promised €10,000 in two instalments, with the intermediaries presenting themselves as guarantors.
Each agreement provides for an 18-month prison sentence suspended under supervision for three years, 60 days of unpaid community service and two-year restrictions on specified public-office rights.
Criminal proceedings against the defendants were initiated on 15 September. All three remain under judicial control, a measure maintained after the agreements were signed.
Separately, ONJN has announced plans to improve complaint handling through a digital system that would register, assign and track requests after identifying lengthy delays.
Romania’s wider gambling sector is also undergoing regulatory change, including additional local authorisation requirements and proposed gambling hall restrictions in Bucharest’s Sector 6.
The ONJN inspector reported the approach to criminal investigators on 5 August, according to prosecutors
