Bulgaria has formally brought gambling affiliates into its regulated market, requiring businesses that promote licensed operators on a performance-based commission model to obtain approval from the National Revenue Agency (NRA).
The framework took effect on 1 August 2026 and was introduced through amendments to Bulgaria’s Gambling Act alongside the country’s 2026 state budget. Affiliates that already had commercial agreements with licensed gambling companies when the rules entered force were given until 15 August to submit a licence application. Existing agreements can remain in effect while those applications are being processed.
Applicants must provide the NRA with information covering the channels used for gambling promotion. This includes relevant websites, mobile applications, social-media accounts, video services and streaming platforms. Licences can cover a single affiliate activity, a period of less than five years or a five-year term.
The reform also introduces a two-part state fee. Licensed affiliates must pay a fixed annual charge of €6,000 plus 10% of performance-linked commission revenue. Bulgarian legislation defines such commission as remuneration tied to measurable results including acquired customers, deposits, bets or other agreed performance indicators.
The legislation makes an important distinction between affiliate operators and companies supplying conventional advertising, media or technical services. Businesses whose payments are not linked to customer acquisition or other performance results are not classified as gambling affiliates under the new definition.
The Bulgarian government introduced the measure as part of a broader effort to improve tax collection and reduce unregulated gambling activity. Deputy Finance Minister Lyudmila Petkova previously estimated that affiliates generated BGN450m-BGN500m in annual commissions that had remained outside the tax system. The Finance Ministry expects the wider measures to generate about €100m in additional revenue during 2026 and €150m in 2027.
Enforcement provisions give authorities additional powers against businesses that remain outside the licensing system. Bulgaria can restrict payments involving unlicensed gambling businesses, while affiliates breaching advertising requirements face fines of €2,000-€5,000 or corporate penalties ranging from €3,000 to €8,000. Money received by affiliates promoting operators without a valid Bulgarian gambling licence can also be confiscated by the state.
Foreign affiliate businesses are permitted to enter the Bulgarian market, but they must appoint an authorised representative with an address in Bulgaria who can sign contracts on their behalf and represent them before national authorities.