A proposal to impose state control over all gaming has been categorically rejected by the Bulgarian National Assembly. The far-right Vazrazhdane backed the bill, which was put out by Mech party MP Hristo Rastashki. There were just 58 votes in favor, 14 against, and 96 abstentions.
The failed measure’s proponents claimed that state operation would strengthen regulations and provide more protections, and that gambling was a societal evil that hurt vulnerable players. They indicated that the current limits on advertising and signage were not being adequately enforced.
Opponents, however, said that such a move would harm the gambling tourism industry, which draws tourists from nations like Iran and Israel, and cautioned that a state monopoly may drive players to illicit websites and cut tax revenue by €200 million annually.
The discussion followed the presentation of opposing legislative proposals by members of Bulgaria’s ruling majority that would allow the country’s state lottery and sports betting operations to be privatized. The plan aims to create a long-term concession for the Bulgarian Sports Totalizator (BST) and was presented to the heads of the National Assembly and the Budget and Finance Committee last week.
The two different plans demonstrate that MPs’ views on how gaming should be regulated and organized in Bulgaria are still very different. Despite having a monopoly since 2020, proponents of the coalition majority’s proposal contend that the BST has continuously produced lower revenues than private operators did before the market’s restructuring.
There are arguments for privatization through a concession model because data indicates low channelization to the state operation and income targets have been consistently missed.
A public request for proposals for Bulgaria’s national lottery and sports betting concession would be released by March 31, 2026, under the proposed framework. The Sports Totalizator concession would be given for a minimum of 15 years, and only Bulgarian-registered businesses or foreign enterprises with a physical presence in Bulgaria would be permitted to apply.
