Gamblers in Romania may face a prison sentence of up to two years if amendments to current legislation are passed. Romania's government submitted their draft gaming law for European consideration at the start of July, with the hope of putting it into practice from the end of 2010. However senior legal figures have criticised the law, calling it 'unclear', and remarked that it could leave unlicensed online gambling operators facing prosecution as well.
Bogdan Mararu, a senior partner at Romanian gaming law specialists Mararu & Mararu SCA, said the legislation fails to clarify the current regulatory uncertainty surrounding online gambling in Romania:
"My frustration is with the quality of the legislation in Romania. We so have tough and well-thought legislation in many areas but when it comes to the gambling industry this is unbelievable...The law is there to forbid online gambling, not to regulate it. The way it's drafted is very ambiguous and open to a lot of interpretation. It's basically an unprofessional piece of work."
Implementing a law to regulate online gambling is being considered by the Romanian government so they can collect tax from the industry and boost fiscal revenues. Unless the government can create a fair and attractive regime which will encourage EU licensed operators to obtain a Romanian licence, Romanian consumers will continue to be offered a lack of choice and not have access to the better priced operators in other parts of the EU. It has been estimated that Romanians spend around €500 million on online betting sites every year, most of which the Romanian Government would deem 'illegal' despite being licensed in another EU member state.
Fortunately the European Commission now has three months to consider the legislation, and is expected to issue a response to the Romanian government about the compatibility of their proposals with EU law by the 4th October. Should the Romanian coalition Government receive the 'green light', the law is expected to pass through their Parliament without problem. However, it is more likely that the Commission will have several concerns about the legislation and its compatibility with single market laws and may issue a Reasoned Opinion to the Romanian government, as it did to the Polish government last week.
Right 2 Bet is encouraging all Romanian gamblers to get in touch with their MEP via the website to make sure their voice is heard in the European Commission.
Bogdan Mararu, a senior partner at Romanian gaming law specialists Mararu & Mararu SCA, said the legislation fails to clarify the current regulatory uncertainty surrounding online gambling in Romania:
"My frustration is with the quality of the legislation in Romania. We so have tough and well-thought legislation in many areas but when it comes to the gambling industry this is unbelievable...The law is there to forbid online gambling, not to regulate it. The way it's drafted is very ambiguous and open to a lot of interpretation. It's basically an unprofessional piece of work."
Implementing a law to regulate online gambling is being considered by the Romanian government so they can collect tax from the industry and boost fiscal revenues. Unless the government can create a fair and attractive regime which will encourage EU licensed operators to obtain a Romanian licence, Romanian consumers will continue to be offered a lack of choice and not have access to the better priced operators in other parts of the EU. It has been estimated that Romanians spend around €500 million on online betting sites every year, most of which the Romanian Government would deem 'illegal' despite being licensed in another EU member state.
Fortunately the European Commission now has three months to consider the legislation, and is expected to issue a response to the Romanian government about the compatibility of their proposals with EU law by the 4th October. Should the Romanian coalition Government receive the 'green light', the law is expected to pass through their Parliament without problem. However, it is more likely that the Commission will have several concerns about the legislation and its compatibility with single market laws and may issue a Reasoned Opinion to the Romanian government, as it did to the Polish government last week.
Right 2 Bet is encouraging all Romanian gamblers to get in touch with their MEP via the website to make sure their voice is heard in the European Commission.
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