Bulgaria Publishes Proposed Gambling Act Amendments Covering Taxes, Real-Time Monitoring and Advertising Limits

Bulgaria has published full details of proposed amendments to its Gambling Act as a public consultation period begins. The changes would establish a revised tax structure with minimum payments, mandate direct real-time data links to authorities, impose near-total advertising and sponsorship restrictions, and redirect increased responsible gambling funds. Prime Minister Rumen Radev presented the package, which the Council of Ministers approved. Consultation runs until October 23.

According to reporting by Focus Gaming News, the reforms target greater transparency, higher state revenues, stronger operator supervision and market consolidation. Online wagers rose from BGN44bn in 2023 to BGN55bn in 2024 and BGN66bn (€33.75bn) in 2025, while the number of licensed online betting operators grew from seven in 2019 to 26.

Tax Reforms and Mandatory Real-Time Reporting

Online operators would pay a non-reducible monthly minimum contribution of €100,000 toward the variable state fee. Land-based businesses face minimums of €200 per slot machine, €5,000 per roulette table and €2,500 for other casino equipment. A unified regime sets the variable component at 23 per cent of the difference between stakes received and winnings paid out, replacing the prior 20 per cent rate for certain licences.

The existing gambling tax under the Corporate Income Tax Act would be eliminated, with profits taxed under the standard corporate regime. All casinos, gaming halls and equipment must connect directly to the National Revenue Agency (NRA) to transmit betting, deposit and payout data in real time. Manufacturers, importers, distributors and servicers of gambling equipment would pay one-off licence fees from €25,000 to €100,000. Foreign companies could only hold licences through a registered Bulgarian place of business, with existing operators required to comply by 31 March 2027.

Radev said: “Anyone operating in the Bulgarian market and profiting from it must report here, pay taxes here and be subject to full control by the Bulgarian state.”

Advertising Controls, Responsible Gambling and Enforcement

The proposals enact an almost complete ban on advertising and sponsorship, limiting outdoor displays and billboards to areas outside towns, villages, resorts and national resorts. Operators could maintain a maximum of 25 advertising structures including those of related parties. Venue signage would be capped at 5 per cent of building facade and no more than 10 square metres, restricted to identifying terms such as “Gaming Hall” or “Casino” plus the registered trademark. Illuminated dynamic panels would be barred. These rules take effect 1 January 2027.

Responsible gambling contributions would be denominated in euros at current numerical values, effectively doubling available funds, then split equally across the ministries of youth and sports, health, and education and science. The education portion targets addiction prevention among young people. Nearly 54,000 people have placed themselves on the NRA’s voluntary register of those vulnerable to gambling harm. Operators allowing registered individuals to play would face fines of €10,000 to €20,000 per breach; venue managers and businesses face similar scaled penalties. Financial penalty thresholds convert to euros at 0.80–0.85 of prior leva values, producing sanctions the government estimates at around 1.6 times current levels after inflation and growth adjustments.

The minimum tax thresholds and compliance costs create a clear risk that smaller operators will exit, accelerating the consolidation the proposals are designed to encourage. Bulgarian gambling businesses and prospective entrants should review the draft legislation in detail during the consultation window and model the precise impact of the fixed monthly payments and real-time reporting obligations on their operations.

Reporting: Focus Gaming News

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