Armenia and Bulgaria are moving toward new gambling restrictions in September 2026, although through different approaches; Yerevan is preparing the technical blocking of offshore platforms from February 8, 2027, while Sofia is considering closing loopholes that still allow gambling advertising across outdoor spaces, media and sports.
In Armenia, the State Revenue Committee (SRC), headed by Eduard Hakobyan, is preparing to implement new provisions under the Law on Regulation of Gaming Activities, adopted on June 12, 2024 and in force since July 1, 2024. The new enforcement framework will require telecom operators to block websites offering betting and online lotteries without an Armenian licence.
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan
The strategy builds on payment blocking measures strengthened in May 2026 and on the new centralized electronic gambling monitoring system. In August 2026, Armenia selected Malta-based Random Systems International (RSI) to operate that infrastructure for 15 years, with launch scheduled for January 2027. The system will integrate deposits, wagers, losses, transactions and licensed operators’ activity. State gambling policy falls under the Ministry of Economy, while the government continues to be led by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.
Assen Vassilev
In Bulgaria, the We Continue the Change party, led by Assen Vassilev, is pushing a new amendment to the Gambling Act to eliminate advertising loopholes highlighted during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Operators including inbet, Efbet and 8888 promoted franchises and betting shops during broadcasts on Bulgarian National Television (BNT).
Rumen Spetsov
The proposal would completely ban outdoor gambling advertising outside licensed venues, prohibit product placement, limit gambling logos on sports kits to 10×10 centimetres, and require at least 10% of advertisements to display addiction-risk warnings in black lettering on a white background.
The National Revenue Agency (NRA) remains the operational regulator and is headed by Rumen Spetsov. Bulgaria’s government has been led since May 8, 2026 by Rumen Georgiev Radev, with Galab Donev serving as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance. The additional advertising restrictions have not yet been approved.
