Bulgaria Seeks Gambling Monopoly, Sparks Industry Backlash

Proposal to End All Private Gambling

Under the proposed legislation, all current licenses issued to private gambling operators would be revoked. From lotteries and sports betting to casinos and slot halls, every type of gambling would be consolidated under the sole control of the BST.

Radostin Vassilev, leader of the far-right MECH party, defended the proposal, stating:

“We are proposing a complete reform of the legal structure regulating gambling. Most importantly, we propose banning all gambling operations—whether physical, online, or otherwise—conducted by private operators in Bulgaria.”
He added:
“If we truly want to restrict gambling and enforce genuine control, and if we want billions of levs to flow into the national budget instead of enriching a few shady oligarchs, then gambling must be run by the state.”

Strict Bans and Controls Proposed

According to Actualno, the bill outlines a series of strict prohibitions, including:

• Banning individuals and legal entities from installing, using, or distributing gambling and communication equipment
• Prohibiting internet service providers from granting access to gambling websites, with the exception of the BST’s official site
• Preventing payment providers, postal services, and mobile operators from processing transactions related to private gambling
• Outlawing the sale of prepaid cards for online betting
• Banning all gambling advertisements except for those by the state operator

The draft legislation also proposes a registry for vulnerable individuals or those who voluntarily exclude themselves. This includes minors, persons under guardianship, social assistance recipients, and self-identified problem gamblers. Only officials from the National Revenue Agency and BST would be authorized to access the list and would be legally obligated to prevent these individuals from participating in gambling activities.

Gambling Association: “Legally and Economically Baseless”

The Bulgarian Gambling Association (BGA) has submitted a written statement urging lawmakers to reject the bill in its first reading. The organization calls the idea of establishing a state monopoly and eliminating private operators “legally and economically untenable.”

According to BGA, the bill violates both the Constitution of the Republic of Bulgaria and EU law, particularly Articles 49 and 56 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, which safeguard the freedom of establishment and the freedom to provide services.

“Monopolies—whether public or private—that favor a single operator represent an unjustified and disproportionate restriction of the internal market,” the statement reads.

The BGA warns that the bill would have “devastating consequences” for the Bulgarian economy, including the loss of thousands of jobs, destruction of private investment, and a decline in tax and social security revenues.

Moreover, the association questions the claim that a monopoly would better protect consumers, noting:

“There is no data showing that state operators are more effective in preventing gambling addiction than licensed private operators under strict regulation.”

Political Outlook: A Difficult Path Forward

In a video published on YouTube, MECH party leader Vassilev continued to defend the proposed gambling law revision, saying:

“Whether gambling continues to exist in Bulgaria will be up to the state.”

However, he also admitted the bill has slim chances in parliament:

“We know this bill won’t be supported by any other party. In my view, most of them are, in one way or another, connected to funding from private gambling interests.”

While the bill’s future remains uncertain, mounting criticism from industry groups and constitutional experts signals a contentious and potentially uphill legislative battle.