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Romania has made a big decision to stop the use of famous people in gambling ads. The country’s National Audiovisual Council (CNA) has approved a new rule that bans public figures from appearing in any type of gambling promotion. This includes ads on TV, radio, and the internet.
This rule is part of a new version of the Audiovisual Code, which aims to reduce the strong influence of celebrities on people especially when it comes to encouraging gambling.
What the New Rule Says
The update is made to Article 110, paragraph 7, which clearly states:
“It is prohibited to broadcast advertising for gambling that includes public, cultural, scientific or sports personalities, or other individuals who, due to their online popularity, could encourage participation in such activities.”
This rule will come into effect 90 days after the new Code is officially published.
Gambling Industry Tried to Oppose the Ban
Several groups from the gambling and sports world did not agree with the ban. They tried to change the rule in different ways:
- Winbet asked if they could still use celebrities for ads that talk about gambling responsibly.
- The Romanian Football Federation made a similar request, hoping they could promote awareness campaigns using well-known people.
- Other groups like Kaizergaming, the Federation of Gambling Organizers, and the Romanian Bureau for Transmedia Audit asked the Council to remove the rule completely.
However, the CNA rejected all of these suggestions, and the rule will move ahead without changes.
Stricter Rules for On-Demand Platforms
The new law doesn’t stop at TV and radio. It also applies to on-demand platforms such as websites and streaming services. These platforms must now follow strict rules, especially to protect minors.
That means any gambling content or ads shown on these platforms must follow the same rules as traditional media. This includes anything shown on YouTube, social media, or through mobile apps.
Why This Change Is Important
This step by Romania shows how serious the government is about reducing the impact of gambling on society. By removing celebrities from gambling ads, the hope is to protect young people and stop the growing interest in gambling caused by social media stars and athletes.
It’s a strong message that fame should not be used to promote risky behavior.
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