Bulgaria Sends Gambling Advertising Ban Bill To Parliament
Bulgaria's government has submitted legislation to Parliament that would prohibit gambling advertising across media and advertising formats, while retaining defined exceptions.
Cabinet approval on November 11, 2026, does not mean the proposed ban has become law.
The distinction is important for readers following changes to gambling regulation: this is a government bill awaiting parliamentary consideration, not an enacted nationwide prohibition.
The National Assembly's official bill record confirms that the Council of Ministers submitted proposal 52-602-01-66 on November 11, 2026.
Its lead committee is the Budget and Finance Committee, with several other committees also assigned to examine it.
What The Advertising Ban Would Cover
The published legislative text would prohibit advertising for gambling games, their organisers, associated trademarks, and distinctive signs, regardless of their form, method, or place of distribution.
That wording reaches beyond advertisements for a particular game to operator branding.
The draft nevertheless preserves the information necessary to organise and participate in games on betting sites, online casinos, and within licensed premises. It also makes exceptions for Bulgarian Sports Totalizator draws and announcements of their winnings.
Branding on a gambling venue's facade would remain possible within limits: no more than 20% of the facade and no more than 50 square metres.
At least 10% of the permitted area would carry an addiction-risk warning, while illuminated panels with changing or moving content would be prohibited.
Sports Sponsorship Would Keep Defined Exceptions
Licensed operators could continue to sponsor sports clubs, federations, associations and organisations, as well as events that support culture, healthcare and education.
The draft permits specified branding on sports equipment and facilities, but excludes equipment, materials and products intended for minors.
For television and online broadcasts of sponsored sports events, additional electronic or digital displays of a sponsor's name or trademark would be prohibited, except for branding physically present at the venue.
The bill also provides for existing licences held by affiliate operators promoting gambling games to terminate from January 1, 2027.
That proposed date forms part of the draft legislation and remains subject to its passage.
Fees And Compliance Rules Also Face Changes
The proposals extend beyond advertising. For online betting, the variable component of the state licensing fee would rise to 21% from January 1, 2027, then 22% from January 1, 2028, generally calculated on stakes minus winnings.
A minimum of €100,000 per operator per month would apply to that calculation. Foreign legal entities organising online betting would also need a place of business in Bulgaria through which they record relevant revenue and expenses.
Existing online betting sites would have until June 30, 2027, to meet the draft's new requirements.
The bill sets January 1, 2027, as its general commencement date, with specified land-based fee and tax changes following a year later.
Those are proposed deadlines: committee scrutiny and parliamentary approval remain the next steps before the package can take effect.
