Emil Boc asks the Romanian Lottery to remove slot machines from lottery agencies in Cluj-Napoca

Cluj-Napoca Mayor Emil Boc has publicly called on the Romanian Lottery to remove slot machines from all lottery agencies in the city after the Local Council banned gambling in physical venues. The mayor argues that the state-owned company must also respect the spirit of the local decision and set an example of responsibility.

In a public message, Emil Boc said it was not right for private operators to be required to remove slot machines while the machines remain active in agencies operated by the Romanian Lottery. “The state must be the first to set an example, not the last to comply,” the mayor said.

Boc specified that the measure does not target the Romanian Lottery’s legal activities, but the risks associated with gambling: addiction, its impact on families, and young people’s vulnerability to the promise of quick winnings. He called on the company to become a partner of the community and put social responsibility ahead of the revenue generated by these machines.

The mayor advocated developing alternatives such as education, sports, culture, entrepreneurship, and spaces dedicated to creativity. The Local Council’s measure is based on an emergency ordinance adopted by the Government at the beginning of 2026, which allows local authorities to approve or ban the operation of gambling halls within their administrative territory.