Romania’s National Audiovise Council (NAC) has passed a new regulation, under which celebrities have been banned from appearing in gambling advertisements on all major media platforms including television, radio and social media. Despite the opposition from the people of the industry, new regulation was adopted.
The revised audiovic code will be implemented in three months.
A comprehensive restriction
The audiovic code now states that “it is prohibited to transmit advertisements for gambling by including public, cultural, scientist, sports or other celebrities, which can encourage participation in such sports due to their online notorious.”
Industry response
The gambling industry strongly opposed this change, arguing that the step inconsistently targeted legal propaganda activities and ignores wide social issues.
The industry had 30 days to comment on the draft ban, which was first presented in March 2025 for discussion by NAC.
According to Play Responsibly Romania, Fedbate (Association of Gambling Operators) and Romanian Football Federation officially opposed the decision during a public debate organized by NAC. However, their proposed amendments were rejected.
Celebrities retaliated
One of Romania’s most identified public celebrities, Tennis veteran Elli Nastess Prompt In an interview with this, this decision was angrily reacted.
“But public celebrities are allowed to live, don’t we allow us to work? You are preventing me from working? I don’t understand the inspiration! We are in Romania – I am not surprised now! We have family too!” Nastess said.
“Then football should not be allowed to do sponsored deals. You should not be allowed to advertise anything. […] If I run my livelihood by advertising a soft drink, I am not allowed to do so because no one likes that drink? I don’t understand anything anymore! “
Nestase also questioned why Romania is not getting connected with foreign standards: “Why don’t they copy the law from abroad in this case? What is the law in Austria? Is it the same?
However, there have been similar debate across Europe, in which many countries have tightened the rules on gambling marketing in recent years.
