Romania is finally calling cut on a show that ran too long — celebrities pitching sportsbooks to millions of viewers, often during prime time. In a bold move, the National Audiovisual Council (CNA) has banned any public figures, from pop idols to football heroes, from appearing in gambling ads. The era of glitzy endorsements in Romanian betting may be coming to an abrupt end.
The decision follows years of growing discomfort. Critics have accused regulators of letting gambling “borrow credibility” from familiar faces, normalizing addictive behavior for a generation raised on TikTok and football jerseys. Mental health professionals say it’s not just marketing — it’s manipulation.
Now, the curtain is falling. Under the new rules, any promotional material that uses celebrity likeness or voice — even indirectly — is off-limits. The CNA claims this is about protecting vulnerable groups, particularly youth, from associating gambling with status or success.
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Industry insiders are rattled. One executive, speaking anonymously, called the move “a sudden blackout.” Many operators will now scramble to rewrite campaigns, rethink partnerships, and possibly, shift focus to more subtle (and less charismatic) methods of persuasion.
Netherlands’ Gambling Authority, Kansspelautoriteit behind the influencers.
Romania joins a European cast that’s already staged similar bans — Spain, Belgium, and the Netherlands have all trimmed the star power from gambling ads. This isn’t just a policy shift. It’s a cultural reset — one where fame and fortune finally stop covering the odds.
