New Bill Introduces Ban on Gambling Ads in Bulgaria

Bulgaria’s Movement for Rights and Freedoms and GERB-UDF have submitted a new bill that bans all forms of gambling ads in the country. The bill, introduced by Yordan Tsonev and Temenuzka Petkova, states that all forms of advertising on television, radio, print media, and online platforms should be illegal.

The law, which was unanimously passed on 30 April, allows the first form of legal gambling ads to be billboards, but they have to be at least 100 meters away from schools. Ads on gambling halls and casino buildings will also get the green light.

This development follows Bulgaria’s efforts to regulate the industry more effectively. The bill was proposed on 26 April and voted unanimously by all 198 members of parliament on their last working day, 30 April. This legislation is expected to come into force in several weeks.

The Bill Will Prohibit Gambling in Less Populated Areas

According to the bill, additional restrictions will also apply to gambling itself. Slots and casino gambling machines would be legal only in areas with at least 5,000 residents. The only exceptions would be towns and resorts within 18 miles of main roads.

Similar regional restrictions are being seen in neighboring Romania, which recently introduced:

• A ban on slot facilities in towns under 15,000 people

• Increased capital requirements for license applicants

• Redistribution of funds to support addiction treatment programs

Furthermore, the bill states that companies applying for slot licenses would need more capital. The new capital requirements will rise from BGN 500,000 (about €254,545) to BGN 750,000 (about €381,818). Half of socially responsible funds will likely go to the Ministry of Health for gambling addiction treatment programs.

Amendments in Bulgaria’s Gambling Law Have Been a Hot Topic

The new bill isn’t the first attempt to reform Bulgaria’s gambling regulations. At the end of 2023, Kostadin Kostadinov of the nationalist party Vazrazhdane proposed a similar overhaul targeting gambling ads.

Among the previous proposals were:

• A minimum two-year self-exclusion period for registered gamblers

• Increased oversight from the National Revenue Agency (NRA)

• Concerns about media outlets earning up to 50% of income from gambling ads

Despite a heated two-hour debate, that proposal did not pass.

Focus on Fighting Unlicensed Gambling

The new bill shifts focus toward tackling unlicensed gambling operations. GERB and DPS propose stricter penalties for both operators and online providers involved in illegal gambling.

Outlined fines include:

• BGN 50,000–200,000 (€25,454–€101,856) for unlicensed operators

• BGN 500–2,000 (€254–€1,018) for players accessing illegal sites

• Increased oversight by the National Revenue Agency (NRA)

In recent months, the NRA has blocked over 600 illegal gambling websites and launched the Prevention and Counter Action Against Money Laundering Unit to combat financial crimes.

This joint initiative by GERB and DPS marks another decisive step in Bulgaria’s ongoing effort to strengthen gambling regulation, ensure player protection, and curb illicit betting activity across the country.