Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan Appoints Valentin-Ioan Tomescu as Successor Following Major Regulatory Reforms and Anti-Corruption Probes
In a sudden leadership shift at Romania’s National Gambling Office (ONJN), Vlad-Cristian Soare has been dismissed from his position as president just over a year after taking charge. Announced in the national gazette via Decision No. 283/2026, Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan appointed Valentin-Ioan Tomescu to succeed him. Tomescu transitions to the role from the General Directorate of Supervision and Control, having previously headed the South-East Territorial Service based in Constanța.
Soare took over the regulator in May of the previous year following heightened scrutiny sparked by a damning audit that revealed the ONJN had failed to collect €1bn in taxes from operators. Dismissed without official explanation, Soare reflected on his departure via a public statement, expressing disappointment that the transition did not adhere to the principle of meritocracy while emphasizing his pride in serving as a state dignitary.
“Today I was dismissed from the position of President of the ONJN without being informed of the reasons that substantiated the decision.”
Key Achievements and Market Reforms Under Soare’s Tenure
During his mandate, Soare introduced aggressive enforcement and structural accountability measures that were acknowledged by the Court of Auditors. His administration focused heavily on tightening control over the sector, achieving significant milestones:
- Enforcement & Crackdowns: Blacklisted approximately 1,300 illegal gambling websites, executed 11,000 control acts, imposed around 10 million lei in fines, confiscated over 300 gambling devices, revoked more than 70 licenses, and enacted the first-ever suspensions of online platforms.
- Platform Restrictions: Blocked prediction market platforms such as Polymarket and Kalshi.
- Market Compression: Oversaw a sharp contraction in the market, reducing active gaming means from 60,000 to 23,000 and licensed organizers from over 200 to fewer than 100.
- Responsible Gambling: Protected 60,000 individuals via self-exclusion frameworks, secured roughly €5 million in grants for social projects tackling problem gambling under the ‘Conscious and Free’ programme, and introduced public device registries utilizing QR codes and geolocation tracking.
Internal Anticorruption Efforts and Broader Investigations
Soare’s tenure also coincided with internal clean-up initiatives targeting systemic corruption within the regulator. He ordered internal investigations, restructured directorate leadership, and cooperated closely with criminal investigation bodies.
These measures intersected with wider anti-corruption probes surrounding senior ONJN figures. Ana-Maria Badea, former Deputy Director General who served under previous president Gheorghe-Gabriel Gheorghe, faces investigation for alleged bribery offenses. Additionally, former ONJN President Odeta Kristanela Nestor (who served from 2013 to 2017) was detained over suspected corrupt practices.
Reflecting on his tenure, Soare stated: “I’m a technocrat. The results show what we defended: the Romanian state, market balance and the people that gambling hurts.” With Valentin-Ioan Tomescu now at the helm, the regulator enters a new chapter as it navigates ongoing oversight and market compliance.
