Rancour grows between Bet365 and the Romanian regulator

There is still no clarity on why the Romanian online gambling regulator has placed online casino operator Bet365 and others on a blacklist despite the payment of substantial back taxes and compliance with the licensing regulations.

This week the issue became more intense when the regulator contacted local players and warned them that they would be prosecuted for playing on unlicensed websites, following this up with communications to some players inviting them to the regulator’s offices, where they were interrogated regarding play on certain sites between September 10 and 30.

Those dates appear to coincide with the regulator’s requirement that licence applicants halt all operational activity pending the issue of licenses, suggesting that the regulator is digging for proof that some operators did not comply.

Bet365, which is considering a challenge to the regulator’s blacklisting, has already claimed that it fully complied with all regulatory and legal requirements, and has yet to be advised why it has been blacklisted.

In the latest development, Romanian media have reported that some Bet365 players have received fines, but have been advised by Bet365 of their rights to appeal and ultimately contest any fine in court. The operator reiterated that it had not broken any laws, and reportedly went further, providing contact numbers for appropriate advice and offering to pay any costs incurred in obtaining that advice.

The lack of public clarity by the regulator, and an explanation for its arbitrary blacklisting actions, are still awaited.