The Senate adopted on Monday two bills aimed at restricting young people’s access to gambling and reducing children’s exposure to aggressive advertising online. The initiatives involve raising the minimum age for participation to 21 years old and nearly total prohibition of online advertising during the day.
The bills were submitted in November 2025 by deputies Diana Stoica and Raluca Turcan, along with parliamentarians from USR, PNL, UDMR, and PSD, and were adopted with a large majority.
Access to gambling prohibited under 21 years old
The first bill increases the minimum age for participating in gambling from 18 to 21 years old. The measure aims to reduce the risk of addiction among young people at the beginning of their journey, a category considered vulnerable to compulsive behaviors.
The initiative was adopted by the Senate with 96 votes in favor, 8 against, and 2 abstentions.
Supporters of the project argue that at 18 years old, many young people are still in the process of emotional and financial maturation, and early exposure to gambling can lead to debts, school dropout, or mental health issues.
Online advertising prohibited between 06:00 and 24:00
The second bill drastically limits the promotion of gambling in the online environment. If the law is adopted in its current form, the broadcasting between 06:00 and 24:00 of any audio, video, or visual content promoting such activities will be prohibited.
Additionally, online advertisements for gambling featuring public figures – from sports, culture, science, or other fields – will be banned, on the grounds that their notoriety can influence and encourage participation, including among minors.
The project was adopted with 90 votes in favor, 9 against, and 10 abstentions.
Decisive vote in the Chamber of Deputies to follow
The two bills now go to the Chamber of Deputies, which is the decision-making body. If adopted and promulgated, Romania could have one of the most restrictive legislations regarding young people's access to gambling and its promotion online.
In recent years, the aggressive expansion of online betting platforms and casinos has raised questions about the impact on adolescents, especially through advertisements on social networks and associations with celebrities or influencers.