Bulgaria Proposes 1.5 Percent Cap on Net Fees for Gambling Deposits and Payouts
Bulgaria proposes capping fees retained by banks and payment providers on gambling deposits and payouts at 1.5%. Excess amounts above the threshold must go to the state budget. The measure targets payments infrastructure to boost government revenue from high-volume, high-risk transactions.
SCCG Take — The cap compresses margins for payment providers on gambling flows while offering operators and users lower transaction costs. Watch the consultation outcome for signals on similar fiscal tools in other EU jurisdictions.
Bulgaria has proposed a reform that caps at 1.5 percent the net fees banks, payments institutions, and e-money companies can retain on gambling transactions. Any excess must be paid into the state budget. The measure targets the payments layer of the national infrastructure rather than gambling operators directly and is presented as a novel fiscal instrument in the European Union.
The draft states that the rule applies to both deposits for participation in gambling games and payouts of winnings. As reported by SBC News, if the total remuneration exceeds 1.5 percent of the payment operation value, the difference is directed to government coffers.
Draft Rule Requirements
Under the proposal, a €1,000 deposit carrying a 3 percent fee of €30 would permit the provider to keep only €15. The remaining €15 would fund the state budget. Payment providers must fulfill mandatory monthly declarations and record-keeping duties to support enforcement.
Policymakers cited the need for greater responsibility from entities earning revenue from gambling-related payment services. The accompanying impact assessment points to the large volume of gambling transactions and the high-risk designation applied to such payments in Bulgaria. It frames the cap as a mechanism to recognize the processors’ role by channeling premium fees into national revenues. No specific use for the funds is detailed, though problem gambling support is referenced in theory.
Expected Effects and Consultation Timeline
One anticipated result is a general alignment of gambling payment fees at the 1.5 percent level, which would reduce costs for end users. The consultation will be open for public discussion until 23 October. Payment providers and operators will monitor the outcome for its direct bearing on transaction economics and compliance obligations in the Bulgarian market.
Reporting: SBC News
Generated by SCCG’s automated editorial system from published source reporting. SCCG Management holds editorial responsibility.
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