The city council of Timișoara has unanimously decided to ban the authorization of new gambling halls throughout the city. Mayor Dominic Fritz announced this policy on Tuesday, indicating that existing gambling facilities will only be allowed to operate until their licenses expire, with full closure expected by next year.
"This decision is now official: gambling halls can no longer be authorised in Timișoara," Mayor Fritz stated on Facebook. He noted that the council's unanimous vote solidified the ban.
In contrast, lottery services operated by Romania’s National Lottery will continue to function and will be the sole gambling activity permitted.
Currently, there are 173 authorized gambling venues in Timișoara, as recorded earlier this spring. These establishments will gradually shut down as their central licenses, which are regulated from Bucharest, come to an end, with closures anticipated by 2027.
The decision reflects a broader shift in gambling regulation, as earlier this year, the Romanian government handed over the licensing powers to local authorities. This allows councils to veto new gambling venues and to decide whether to permit or prohibit gambling altogether.
Additionally, the president of the Timis County Council mentioned in April that the funds saved from the oversight of gambling halls are intended for educational infrastructure improvements, including the modernization of schools and kindergartens.
In 2024, the government also set new restrictions, banning slot halls in towns with fewer than 15,000 residents and implementing stricter zoning and advertising regulations.
As a result of these actions, the number of slot machines in the country has significantly decreased, falling from 80,000 to 36,000. In 2025, brick-and-mortar gaming in Romania generated about €1.67 billion annually, which comprised roughly a third of the total gambling market, according to data from H2 Gambling Capital.
