A corruption scandal is unfolding at Romania’s National Office for Gambling (ONJN). Ana-Maria Badea, Deputy Director General of the Gambling Authorization Directorate, has been detained by the National Anticorruption Directorate (DNA) over allegations that she accepted bribes from gambling industry representatives.
According to prosecutors, between December 2025 and May 2026, Badea allegedly received €2,500 in exchange for helping companies navigate administrative procedures at ONJN. The alleged favors included expediting applications, handling reauthorization procedures, and approving new gambling products.
DNA claims that some of the money was handed directly to Badea, while other payments were allegedly made through her husband.
€2,500 for Faster Procedures and Favorable Decisions
Investigators allege that Badea used her position to help companies complete regulatory procedures faster and secure more favorable decisions from the gambling regulator in exchange for payments.
She is suspected of three bribery offenses allegedly committed as part of a continuing criminal act.
On July 29, Badea was detained for 24 hours. DNA subsequently asked the court to place her in pre-trial detention for 30 days.
And she is not the only ONJN official caught up in the investigation.
Four More People Placed Under Judicial Supervision
Two ONJN inspectors, Badea’s husband, and an administrator of a commercial company have also been placed under judicial supervision for 60 days.
According to DNA, inspectors Radu-Andrei Blaga and Radu-Constantin Brătan allegedly accepted payments ranging from RON 1,000 to RON 5,000 from representatives of companies undergoing regulatory inspections.
In exchange, the inspectors allegedly turned a blind eye to violations and refrained from taking enforcement measures required by law.
Investigators have identified approximately RON 25,000 in alleged illicit payments. One of the cases reportedly involved a RON 2,000 payment made to the inspectors by the administrator of a commercial company.
Both inspectors have also been suspended from working at ONJN for the duration of the judicial measures.
A Wider Corruption Scheme Inside ONJN?
According to DNA, the case could go beyond an isolated bribery scandal and point to a broader alleged corruption scheme within Romania’s gambling regulator.
Prosecutors are investigating whether gambling companies regularly paid officials and inspectors in exchange for faster regulatory procedures, favorable decisions, and more lenient treatment during inspections.
All those involved remain suspects at this stage, and the investigation is ongoing. DNA is working to establish whether other people were involved in the alleged scheme and how many additional incidents could ultimately be added to the case.
The investigation could have serious implications for Romania’s gambling market. Several officials and inspectors working for the regulator responsible for licensing and overseeing the industry are now under investigation over alleged corruption.
