TLDR
- Romania’s gambling regulator ONJN is distributing €5 million in non-refundable grants to fight compulsive gambling under its “Conscious and Free” program
- The bulk of the funding, €3.6 million, goes toward prevention, education, counseling, treatment, and responsible gambling efforts
- Another €1.2 million is earmarked for building or expanding specialized treatment facilities for problem gamblers
- Projects must be submitted by May 11, with funded initiatives expected to launch on August 3 and run through December 2026
- This marks the first time ONJN has provided public funding for problem gambling programs in its history
Romania is stepping up its efforts to address problem gambling with a new €5 million grant program run by its national gaming regulator, ONJN.
The funding falls under the “Conscious and Free” national public interest project, which ONJN approved in December 2025. The program was formally announced through a statement published in Romania’s Official Gazette.
The grants will be distributed as non-reimbursable funding to non-profit organizations. ONJN is drawing the money directly from its 2026 operating budget.
The regulator has split the funding into three components. The largest share, €3.6 million, will cover a wide range of services including prevention and education campaigns, counseling and treatment programs, research, digitalization efforts, protection of minors, and responsible gambling promotion.
A second allocation of €1.2 million is designated for building or expanding specialized treatment centers for compulsive gamblers. That portion of the budget is restricted to public agencies.
Application Timeline and Review Process
The remaining €200,000 will fund research and impact studies designed to shape future public policy and intervention strategies.
Organizations looking to apply must submit their projects by May 11. ONJN will publish eligibility assessments on May 15, and applicants will have a short window from May 18 to May 20 to challenge any results.
Final compliance results and resolutions are expected between May 21 and May 26. A specially appointed Evaluation Commission will then review proposals and publish its findings on July 8.
There is a deadline of July 13 for contesting preliminary results. Final outcomes are due on July 28, with contracts to be signed between July 29 and July 31.
ONJN has set August 3 as the official start date for approved projects. All funded initiatives are expected to wrap up by December 2026, giving them roughly a four-month window.
ONJN President Calls It a Historic Step
ONJN President Vlad-Cristian Soare said the program represents a first for the regulator. He stated that this is the first time ONJN has ever provided funding for this type of program.
Soare acknowledged the effort required to make the grants possible. He pointed to collaboration between ONJN, the Ministry of Finance, and UEFISCDI as key to getting the program off the ground.
According to Soare, the process involved amending existing law, reforming ONJN’s internal responsible gaming service, and building the legal framework needed to support the grants. Two presidential orders were also adopted to establish the methodology and applicant guidelines.
He emphasized that the regulatory groundwork has now been laid for continued funding in future years.
Romania’s gambling market has grown in recent years, and problem gambling has become a growing concern. The “Conscious and Free” program is the country’s most direct public funding response to the issue so far.
The application deadline for eligible non-profit organizations is May 11, 2026.
