Bulgaria’s parliament has rejected opposition proposals to impose a broader ban on gambling advertising and sharply increase gambling taxes, with government officials warning that tougher restrictions could drive more players toward unlicensed operators.
The debate took place during parliamentary discussions on the country’s growing illegal gambling market and possible amendments to existing gambling legislation. While lawmakers approved limited tax adjustments affecting a specific segment of the industry, they voted against proposals that would have nearly doubled operator fees and introduced additional advertising restrictions.
Deputy Finance Minister Lyudmila Petkova told the parliamentary budget committee that raising taxes before tackling the illegal market could produce the opposite of the intended effect. According to her, further tax increases risk pushing consumers away from licensed operators and into the grey market, where player protections and regulatory oversight are absent. She also confirmed that Bulgaria’s Finance Ministry is preparing a broader overhaul of the country’s gambling legislation.
Government officials acknowledged that Bulgaria’s regulated gambling market currently captures only around 60% of player activity, leaving a significant share in the unlicensed sector. This level of channelisation has become a key argument against introducing stricter measures before improving enforcement against illegal operators.
The rejected proposals were backed by opposition parties We Continue the Change and Democratic Bulgaria, which argued the government has not gone far enough in restricting gambling promotion or addressing illegal gambling. Opposition MP Venko Sabutev criticized lawmakers for refusing to tighten the Gambling Act through the current legislative process, calling for stronger action against gambling advertising.
Bulgaria already operates under some of Europe’s toughest gambling advertising rules. Legislation adopted in 2024 prohibits gambling advertising across television, radio, print media, websites and most public spaces, with limited exceptions, including broadcasts related to the state-owned Bulgarian Sports Totalisator. Outdoor advertising remains permitted only under strict conditions, including minimum distances from schools and mandatory responsible gambling warnings.
The advertising restrictions have already had a noticeable impact on the regulated industry. Market participants have previously reported significant revenue declines following the introduction of the near-total advertising ban, raising concerns that licensed operators may struggle to compete with offshore gambling websites that continue to target Bulgarian consumers outside the country’s regulatory framework.
With the Finance Ministry now working on a comprehensive review of gambling legislation, further regulatory reforms are expected, although the government has signaled that strengthening enforcement against illegal gambling will remain a priority before considering additional tax increases or broader restrictions.