A Bulgarian national has been detained in Romania in connection with a wide-ranging corruption investigation involving the country’s gambling regulator, the National Gambling Office (ONJN).
The case is being handled by Romania’s National Anti-Corruption Directorate (DNA), which says the probe concerns alleged bribery schemes linked to the regulation of the gambling sector. Romanian media outlet Digi24 reports that the investigation has also exposed a separate corruption file involving Bucharest Mayor Ciprian Ciucu.
A court in Bucharest ordered 30 days of pre-trial detention for the Bulgarian suspect, identified only by the initials R.D.M., on charges of bribery. Former ONJN head Odetta Cristina Nestor, who currently leads an association representing online gambling operators, has also been detained and charged with multiple offenses, including complicity in taking bribes, repeated bribery, and instigation of unauthorized access to confidential information.
Prosecutors allege that between November 2025 and April 2026, funds were routed through Nestor to ONJN employees in order to accelerate or delay administrative procedures and to obtain restricted information. Investigators claim the Bulgarian suspect offered a €100,000 bribe on behalf of a gambling operator to ensure the closure of an inquiry without sanctions or referral to prosecutors or anti-money laundering authorities. Half of the amount, €50,000, was allegedly transferred initially, with the remaining sum handed over on June 16, 2026 during a seizure operation.
In her public comments prior to the arrests, Nestor criticized Romanian authorities for tightening gambling regulations, accusing them during a parliamentary debate of adopting a restrictive approach toward the industry. Her remarks came in response to proposals aimed at limiting gambling advertising online and offline, as well as local initiatives to restrict betting establishments.
During the same investigation, prosecutors uncovered additional evidence of alleged corruption involving Bucharest Mayor Ciprian Ciucu. According to the DNA, in November and December 2025, while serving as mayor of Bucharest’s sixth district, Ciucu allegedly received campaign-related services from two businessmen. In exchange, they were reportedly assisted in obtaining approvals for a residential development project, with a third individual accused of acting as an intermediary.
The DNA stressed that the gambling probe and the mayor’s case are not formally linked, noting only that the second investigation emerged during the first. Ciucu has been placed under judicial control for 60 days and denies all allegations, insisting that no financial benefit was received and that urban planning decisions were not influenced by personal interests.
Ciucu, a senior figure in the National Liberal Party and an ally of former Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan, was elected mayor of Bucharest in December 2025 after Nicușor Dan became president of Romania. Previously, he led Bucharest’s sixth district administration. Romanian prosecutors underline that the initiation of charges represents a procedural stage and does not affect the presumption of innocence, with the investigation continuing for additional suspects.