ONJN, the National Gambling Office of Romania, has been placed under strategic review by new President Valentin-Ioan Tomescu, who has prioritised digitalisation, staffing and the treatment of gambling addiction.

Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan appointed Tomescu on 21 August, following the abrupt dismissal of incumbent Vlad-Cristian Soare. Soare said he had not been told the reasons for the decision. 

The embattled office has had three presidents across two leadership changes since audit failures brought its governance under scrutiny in early 2025. The audit examined activities spanning 2019–2023, and subsequent reporting put potentially unpaid licensing fees and taxes at nearly €1bn. 

Tomescu on the clock

Announcing his initial priorities on 14 September, Tomescu confirmed that he spent his first three weeks assessing ONJN’s staffing structure, ongoing projects, administrative workflows and daily operations.

The review aims to identify weaknesses requiring immediate intervention and establish measures to strengthen the regulator’s capacity and improve its dealings with citizens and licensed businesses.

“The first three weeks have been devoted primarily to assessing our activities and identifying problems requiring immediate intervention,” Tomescu stated.

“It is extremely important that I have an accurate picture of the institution’s situation before making decisions, but the assessment must be followed by concrete measures.

“We have already established a series of priorities that can deliver results within a short period, alongside measures requiring a structural approach and a longer implementation timetable.”

Overhaul of analogue systems 

Digitalisation has been identified as an immediate priority. ONJN expects to introduce a digital document registration and management system within approximately two weeks of the announcement, covering petitions, correspondence and requests.

The regulator will also update its petitions portal to improve document tracking, reduce processing times and monitor response deadlines. The changes are intended to automate administrative tasks and give staff greater visibility over outstanding requests.

A second priority concerns the development of a national programme for preventing and treating gambling addiction.

ONJN has begun work to establish a mechanism through which affected individuals can access assessment, counselling and treatment, in cooperation with the institutions responsible for delivering these services. The announcement did not specify a launch date or funding arrangements.

Audit of staff competence

Tomescu also committed to implementing measures ordered by Romania’s Court of Accounts. Responsible departments will translate the audit requirements into concrete actions, with defined deadlines and accountability for remedying deficiencies and strengthening internal controls.

The initial assessment has meanwhile identified a staff shortage affecting ONJN’s ability to fulfill its statutory responsibilities.

The office will prioritise its workload, improve the use of existing resources and seek solutions to fill vacant positions. For senior appointments, Tomescu has pledged to professionalise management, with promotions based on competence, experience and responsibility for departmental performance.

As detailed to the media: “For leadership positions, the guiding principle is to professionalise the management structure and promote individuals based on competence, experience and their ability to take responsibility for the performance of the department they oversee”

ONJN will continue its assessment while introducing the reforms in stages. Tomescu’s immediate task is to turn the review into measurable improvements in administration, internal oversight and support for people affected by gambling addiction.

Source

#ONJN #Romania #GamblingRegulation #GamblingIndustry #Digitalisation #ResponsibleGambling #GamblingAddiction #PlayerProtection #RegulatoryReform #Gambling