Romania's National Gambling Office (ONJN) has reported remarkable results in its campaign to remove illegal gambling content from social media platforms: a 98% success rate on requests submitted to Meta (Facebook and Instagram), Google and TikTok.
The Scale of the Problem
Illegal gambling advertising on social media is one of the primary channels through which operators without an ONJN licence attract Romanian players. ONJN intensified its monitoring of online content in 2025, creating a dedicated team for the rapid identification and reporting of illegal advertising.
Reporting Channels for Citizens
One of ONJN's recent innovations is the launch of a WhatsApp reporting channel — an accessible way for citizens to flag illegal gaming machines or unauthorised gambling advertising.
Remaining Challenges
Despite the successes, challenges persist. Illegal operators adapt quickly, creating new accounts on social platforms immediately after old ones are removed. ONJN is investigating the possibility of deeper partnerships with social media platforms, including automated mechanisms for detecting illegal content.