Bulgaria is in the process of drafting changes to the Gambling Act, aimed to impose stricter limitations in advertising and raise taxes for gambling businesses.
Authorities are viewing the proposed amendments as an essential reshaping of legislation.
Prime Minister Roumen Radev said:
We want to introduce a new, far stricter model for regulatory control over the sector. The first major change will focus on advertising. 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.
Radev said the legislative amendments aim at achieving transparency, fair taxation, and minimizing gambling harm.
The Prime Minister also stated that there would be a special focus on advertising, as gambling should be less present in people’s lives and aggressive advertising should not be delivered to children.
The opposition parties We Continue the Change (PP) and Yes Bulgaria (DB) are demanding for an overall ban on gambling advertising and a sanction of up to 150,000 euros for those violating the advertising rules.
The prohibitions may also apply to illuminated trading signs in front of the casinos and gaming establishments. It is expected that sports sponsorships will stay in force on the premises of the Cabinet, though this may change during the consultation procedure.
The government also considers a new hike in gambling taxes.
Since January 2026, the internet gambling companies have paid a 25% tax on the gross gaming revenue and the latest increase of 5% was approved within the 2025 budget. The levy applies alongside the standard 10% corporate tax.
