Bulgaria opened a public consultation on September 23, 2026 on a far-reaching gambling reform that would sharply restrict commercial advertising, strengthen fiscal and technological oversight of casinos, and potentially raise the tax burden on online operators again. The consultation will remain open until October 23, after which the Council of Ministers, chaired by Prime Minister Rumen Radev, will decide what version of the draft to submit to the National Assembly.
The proposal would ban advertising for gambling operators, brands and games across television, radio, print, the internet, social media, apps, streaming and outdoor advertising. The main exceptions would be operators’ own websites, licensed gambling premises and certain sports sponsorship arrangements. Signage at gambling venues would be limited to 20% of the building facade, with a maximum of 50 square metres, while at least 10% of the permitted advertising area would have to carry addiction-risk warnings.
Boris Mihaylov
The reform would preserve sponsorships involving clubs, federations, leagues and sporting events, but would prohibit digital overlays added during broadcasts. It would also close commercial formats used during the 2026 FIFA World Cup to promote betting brands through partnership-style messaging.
The biggest impact could fall on affiliates. Bulgaria introduced a dedicated affiliate licensing regime on August 1, 2026, but the current draft provides for those licences to terminate from January 1, 2027 if the wording remains unchanged.
Galab Donev
The package would also require gaming machines and equipment in casinos and gaming halls to connect in real time to the National Revenue Agency, led by Executive Director Boris Mihaylov, to strengthen tax control and reduce underreporting. The Ministry of Finance, headed by Galab Donev, is also considering another increase in the online gambling levy, which already rose from 20% to 25% of GGR in 2026.
Foreign licensed operators would have to register and report in Bulgaria the financial activity generated locally, while the government is preparing additional measures on AML, tax evasion and responsible gambling. Opposition parties We Continue the Change and Yes Bulgaria, with figures including Bozhidar Bozhanov, are pushing for even tougher rules, including fines of up to €150,000, a ban on gambling with cryptocurrencies and tighter outdoor advertising restrictions.
