Romanian gambling regulator deputy director held in bribery probe

Romanian anti-corruption authorities have detained Ana-Maria Badea, deputy director general of the National Office for Gambling (ONJN), as part of an investigation into suspected bribery. The National Anti-Corruption Directorate (DNA) held Badea for 24 hours and is seeking a 30-day preventive detention order from the Bucharest Tribunal.

Prosecutors allege that Badea and other ONJN officials took money from gambling operators in exchange for approving requests or helping companies avoid penalties. Investigators say Badea received €2,500 between 23 December 2025 and 21 May 2026, sometimes directly and sometimes through her husband, who is being investigated for alleged complicity in the offences.

The alleged payments were meant to ensure Badea used her official position to accelerate and influence administrative procedures, including approvals for new gambling products, licence renewals and other regulatory matters. In practice, prosecutors say, she helped operators obtain faster approval and more favourable decisions.

The broader investigation also involves two ONJN inspectors, Radu-Andrei Blaga and Radu-Constantin Brătan, from the General Directorate for Supervision and Control. Both have been placed under judicial supervision for 60 days while the bribery allegations against them are examined. The DNA said the probe remains ongoing, with further criminal proceedings under way against other individuals.

The case follows a separate DNA investigation opened earlier this year into former ONJN President Odeta Nestor, who is accused of brokering a €100,000 bribe intended to ward off regulatory scrutiny in a major casino jackpot investigation.