Approved on November 11, 2026, the package from Prime Minister Rumen Radev’s government would prohibit ads for gambling products, operators and their brands on TV, radio, print, online and outdoor channels, with narrow exceptions for certain sports and cultural sponsorships, land-based venues and operator websites. It would also end gambling promotion by affiliates, reversing the government’s decision in August to introduce a licensing route for them.
From 2027, land-based operators would pay more, with the tax on each gaming machine rising to €600 from around €400 and gaming tables taxed at €13,000, up from around €11,200, before a two-part state fee linked to turnover and payouts replaces those charges in 2028. Online operators would pay a variable monthly state fee of at least €100,000, while a five-year license would cost €400,000 for online betting and €300,000 for online casino, with the price doubling for a 10-year license.
Foreign online operators would need a permanent business presence in Bulgaria, banks and payment providers handling gambling transactions would have to make financial contributions, and operators’ systems would be linked electronically to the National Revenue Agency so authorities can track bets, payouts and revenue. Higher responsible gambling contributions would be split between the ministries of sport, health and education.
Parliament rejected an earlier plan for a blanket advertising ban and higher taxes in July over concerns that it could push players toward unregulated sites, and the new draft must now pass committee review and two readings in the National Assembly.
