Romania’s gambling authority, the ONJN, has blacklisted 30 gambling websites after finding they were offering online casino and sports betting without local licences. Internet service providers (ISPs) now have 15 days to cut access, redirecting users to an official ONJN page explaining the block.

The 30 blocked sites range from obscure names to platforms that had been attracting steady traffic. Domains include wazbee.casino, jacktop.com, roostake.com, a string of “nv” branded casinos (nv5.casino through nv93.casino), and several under the ybets label.

Some of these platforms appeared almost overnight and marketed heavily on social media. Others had been active for months, drawing Romanian players with offers that licensed brands simply cannot match under current advertising rules.

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The ruling obliges Romanian ISPs to redirect any traffic from the blacklisted domains to a designated ONJN IP address. Players trying to access those sites will instead see a page confirming the operator is not authorised to operate in Romania.

The latest report from Yield Sec has revealed the extent of illegal gambling across Europe, showing that unlicensed operators dominate the EU market. According to the EU 27 Europe: Online Gambling Marketplace 2024 study, unregulated firms captured 71% of gross gaming yield (GGY) across the 27 EU member states, generating €80.6 billion out of an estimated €114.3 billion market.

In contrast, licensed operators — regulated and subject to tax and compliance obligations — accounted for just €33.6 billion, representing 29% of the market.

The report warns that the rapid growth of illegal platforms is creating a crisis for Europe’s regulated gambling industry, government revenues and consumer safety. In 2024, 92% of all gambling-related content viewed by EU consumers originated from unlicensed operators. This visibility led to widespread engagement, with 81 million Europeans — 18% of the population — interacting with illegal gambling services during the year.

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The financial impact is severe. Yield Sec estimates that EU governments lost €20 billion in tax revenue in 2024 as illegal operators outpaced their regulated counterparts. For every €1 earned by a licensed operator, unlicensed competitors made €2.40, creating what the report calls a “Jenga tower” imbalance — where tighter rules on regulated firms strengthen their illegal rivals.

The surge in black-market gambling coincided with high-profile sporting events like the European Championships and the Olympic Games, which provided opportunities for illicit platforms to thrive. These operators used aggressive marketing tactics, including bonuses far exceeding legal limits, paired with unauthorised live broadcasts to attract bettors.

Unregulated companies also exploited cryptocurrency gambling, prediction markets and social media platforms such as TikTok, Twitch and Instagram. Some employed fake reviews, national flags, bank logos and even deepfake technology to create fake celebrity endorsements, further deceiving consumers.

Yield Sec calls for coordinated efforts between governments, regulators, and industry stakeholders to detect and dismantle illegal networks, implement strict monitoring, and enforce penalties.

Following the passage of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill 2025 on August 21, the government of India imposes a complete ban on online money games, alongside the advertisements related to the sector.

Passed by the parliament, any financial transactions related to these platforms would be considered unlawful as stated under the Information Technology Act of 2000. The legislation also aims to establish a national-level regulatory authority that will govern the categorising and registration of online games.

The said authority shall issue guidelines, codes of practice and directions for compliance, with strict punishments induced, leading to imprisonment for up to three years, and a fine to one crore rupees or 114,017 USD.

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The advertisement of the said games is also punishable with similar penalties, with imprisonment up to two years and a fine of up to fifty lakh rupees 1140 USD.

While the law prohibited online money gaming such poker, rummy and fantasy sports that offer cash rewards, e-sports are considered and recognised as a legitimate competitive sport in India, and is not included in the total ban, as well as online social games or casual games that are recreational in nature.

This draws that the bill-turned-law, used a “balanced approach” since recognising that the online gaming sector is one of the most dynamic segments in the digital and creative economy, hence, still allowing esports and online social games.

This came after the report of over 45 crore or 45,000,000 people were reportedly affected by online money games and have lost more than Rs. 20,000 crores or 2,280.414 USD, according to Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology.

According to the same ministry, the total ban was driven by the following reasons:

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• Addiction and Financial Ruin

• Mental Health and Suicide

• Fraud and Money Laundering

• Threat to National Security

• Closing Legal Loopholes

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• Encouraging Healthy Alternatives

Meanwhile, the bill also stated that while the online gaming authority governs the registration of online games, the central government still has the authority to frame the rules for the promotion and advertisement of e-sports, online social games and other rules related under the law.

In total, the legislation aims to safeguard vulnerable populations, particularly the middle class and youth by introducing these strict regulations and a greater emphasis on brand responsibility and ethical advertising.