Bulgaria Prime Minister Announces Consultation on Gambling Act Overhaul with Near-Full Advertising Ban

Bulgaria’s Prime Minister Roumen Radev announced at the Council of Ministers meeting that draft amendments to the Gambling Act will be published today for public consultation, including what he termed a “practically full ban of gambling promotions.”

Radev stated the changes introduce “a new, far stricter model for regulatory control over the sector” with goals of more transparency, fairer taxation, and minimisation of gambling harm. “We don’t want gambling to be present in the everyday life of Bulgarian citizens. We don’t want aggressive marketing, which reaches young people and children,” he said.

The proposals prohibit building-adjacent bright and neon signage for land-based casinos and gambling halls. All active on-site equipment must connect to the National Revenue Agency’s systems for real-time data reporting, described by Radev as “something that needed to be done a long time ago.” Rights to advertise on sports kits and sporting grounds are to be maintained, though subject to final texts.

Taxation changes include a potential further increase to the base rate for online gambling operators after the levy rose to 25% from 20% earlier this year. The new structure would fund sports and education. Foreign operators licensed in Bulgaria and generating local revenue must register financial activity in the country, report, pay taxes, and face full state control. Stronger anti-money laundering rules and tax evasion prevention are also included. The reforms will be bundled with fast-loan changes targeting problem gambling.

Contrasting Opposition Calls for Total Ban

The government position contrasts with comments days earlier from MP Stefan Belchev of Radev’s Progressive Bulgaria party and Chair of the Economic Policy Committee. Belchev indicated the measures would likely impose further advertising restrictions rather than a blanket ban.

Opposition parties We Continue the Change (PP) and Yes Bulgaria (DB) demand a complete shutdown on outdoor gambling advertising plus penalties of up to €150,000 for compliance failures. DB MP Bozhidar Bozhanov argued that the 2024 Gambling Act changes, which both parties supported, have been circumvented via loopholes. Their proposals add heavy online advertising limits, treat operator-owned infotainment websites as circumvention, ban cryptocurrency gambling, and bar under-18s from sports betting bars. Both parties described gambling as “an epidemic.” Protesters against gambling advertisements will gather on 25 September at Parliament Square in Sofia.

Consultation Variables Ahead

As reported by SBC News, the precise scope of restrictions will be known once the consultation texts are released. The outcome will determine how far advertising curbs extend, the final tax rate trajectory, and the operational load from real-time reporting and local registration mandates. These elements carry direct consequences for both domestic venues and foreign licensees active in the Bulgarian market.

Reporting: SBC News

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