Bulgaria Eyes Stricter Restrictions, Including a Complete Ban on Gambling Ads

Bulgaria’s prime minister has announced plans to tighten regulation of gambling in the country amid harm-related concerns. Among other things, the government is now pushing for a blanket ban on ads, tax hikes, and other restrictions. Gambling Ads Could Soon Be a Thing of the Past PM Rumen Radev just confirmed that significant regulatory changes have been submitted for public consultation. In his announcement, Radev outlined a harsh stance on gambling, saying that the new rules aim to improve transparency and lower the country’s problem gambling rates. Per the proposed changes, Bulgaria would effectively ban all gambling ads, with the exception of sports sponsorships appearing on jerseys and across sports facilities. Radev admitted that this exception was due to budget deficiencies. The casino window lights are so bright and provocative that our cities and villages have started looking like Las Vegas. That’s why we are banning them as well. We do not wish gambling to be an everyday sight for Bulgarian citizens. We also reject aggressive marketing that reaches the youth and children. PM Rumen Radev This is a step up from existing provisions that ban TV and radio ads for operators other than the National Lottery. The PM Also Seeks to Tackle Financial Fraud and Illegal Gambling In addition to banning gambling ads, the new measures would also change how casinos and gambling halls are taxed. Under the proposed requirements, all gambling machines will have to be connected to the National Revenue Agency, thus minimizing the risks of money laundering and financial fraud. Radev emphasized that this measure was long overdue. Radev’s government is also eyeing a tax hike that would affect both online and retail operators and said that new mechanisms will redirect some of the tax money toward sports and education. In any case, an increase in Bulgaria’s gambling tax seems to be a bipartisan initiative, since the opposition has also encouraged tax hikes. However, the opposition’s proposal did not make it to the 2026 budget. The opposition had also proposed a similar ban on ads, which was also rejected. Radev’s final vow was to crack down on offshore operators that tap into Bulgarian audiences without paying their fair share. He emphasized that anyone seeking to profit in Bulgaria should be subject to the local laws. Radev added that his policies will aim to inhibit organized crime’s movement of goods across the European Union’s external borders – a statement that responds to offshore operators’ movement of funds across borders.