Romania's new Prime Minister takes office amid gambling regulator turmoil

Romania has elected Lula Niculescu as its new Prime Minister five months after a political stalemate and three failed attempts to set up a new administration, according to reports. Niculescu was nominated by President Nicusor Dan amid an agreed six-month truce between the Social Democratic Party (PSD) and the National Liberal Party (PNL).

The appointment comes as Romania’s gambling regulator ONJN continues to face scrutiny following an independent audit that found close to €1bn in missing taxes in 2025. The finding led to the resignation of then-President Gheorge Gheorge and the appointment of Vlad Cristian-Soare in April 2025.

Leadership changes at ONJN

Cristian-Soare was dropped in August 2026 and replaced with Valentin-Ioan Tomescu as ONJN President. Reports also surfaced over the summer that former and current high-level ONJN officials were called in for questioning over alleged bribery cases.

The new ONJN President temporarily suspended a €5m problem gambling grants programme on 2 October 2026, arguing that a review into the subsidiary programme is needed to assess its legal and budgetary basis. A total of 54 projects had been approved in July 2026 under the initiative introduced by Cristian-Soare.

Tax increases under Law 141/2025

Law 141/2025 introduced higher taxes on players’ winnings, with the lowest band payouts (up to RON 10,000) taxed at 4%, middle band payouts (RON 10,000 – RON 66,750) at 20%, and the highest band (over RON 66,750) at 40%.

The online gambling authorisation tax rate went up from 21% of GGR to 30% under Law 141/2025. The minimum annual online authorisation tax also went up from €400,000 to €480,000. 85% of the funds collected by the ONJN from licensed operators go into the state budget.