Democratic Bulgaria MPs filed a bill in the 52nd National Assembly on 9 September 2026 that would ban gambling advertising across virtually every remaining channel in the country, from billboards and radio to online ad networks and direct text messages. The measure, registered as 52-654-01-130, rewrites the advertising article of Bulgaria’s Gambling Act and would replace the existing 5% cap on outdoor advertising with an outright prohibition.
What the Bill Would Cover
The draft eliminates the current exemption that allowed billboards, flags, advertising boards, and banners to carry gambling ads as long as they were positioned more than 300 metres from schools, playgrounds, and other listed sites. Radio and television restrictions would be broadened to the wider category of audio-visual media and radio services. Print and electronic media provisions would be split, with websites moved to a dedicated online section.
Three new categories would fall inside the ban: websites, online news services, mobile applications, and online platforms covered by the EU Digital Services Act; providers of online advertising services under the Digital Markets Act; and direct contact by text message, email, or other direct means.
The definition of gambling advertising itself would widen to include product and service placement and any message, recommendation, or action that uses the name or trademark of a product, website, sports league, event, or venue closely resembling that of a gambling operator. A mandatory risk warning would have to appear in a clearly distinguishable font and a colour that allows it to be read without difficulty.
Enforcement and Takedown Powers
The National Revenue Agency, which regulates gambling in Bulgaria, would operate a single online form for reporting illegal advertising and publish monthly figures on violations and penalties. Its executive director could order impermissible advertising taken down and suspend access to online advertising services that systematically ignore those orders, for up to one month.
Internet and hosting providers that take a share of gambling advertising revenue would be treated as directly breaching the ban and could not invoke the passive-transmission defence. Separately, any internet or hosting provider would be liable if it fails to remove illegal content or restrict access to it within 12 hours of learning of it or receiving a removal order.
Provisions Targeting Unlicensed Operators
Three provisions in the bill address illegal gambling rather than advertising. Crypto-asset service providers and trading platform operators would be barred from transferring crypto-assets intended for online gambling to or from unlicensed operators, or from operators ordered to stop and listed on the NRA register, mirroring an existing ban on payment institutions. Cash deposit terminals could not fund online betting accounts before a customer’s identity is verified. Very large online search engines, as defined by the Digital Services Act, would be required to stop returning results for unlicensed operators’ sites.
“Today we are submitting a bill to amend the Gambling Act, with which we will fill all the ‘loopholes’, ban advertising everywhere, in all ways, without any opportunities for gambling operators to take advantage of the existing loopholes in the law.”
Bozhidar Bozhanov, co-chair of Yes, Bulgaria and deputy chair of the Democratic Bulgaria parliamentary group, made the remark to reporters on the day the bill was filed. He told reporters that gambling advertising had run on national television and across whole cities despite the 2024 restrictions. Bozhanov said a full ban on gambling itself would require careful assessment because of the risk of driving players toward unlicensed operators, and that the bill’s focus is on removing advertising rather than raising sanctions.
The explanatory memorandum accompanying the bill states that part of the 2024 advertising package is not being applied because compliance is not policed and because operators have not acted in good faith. It singles out the 5% outdoor limit as neither observed nor controlled, and names workarounds it wants sanctioned, including near-invisible risk warnings and news sites presented in a way that promotes a gambling brand.
The bill now sits in the 52nd National Assembly for committee review and debate. No vote date has been set.
Sarah Thompson is an editorial byline used by Casino No Deposits for industry news coverage. Articles published under this byline are summarised from reporting by licensed gambling industry news sources and produced with AI assistance, then published against our editorial rules on accuracy, sourcing and tone. They are not first-hand reporting and do not contain personal player accounts. Our full process, including how bonus listings and ratings are maintained separately by our team, is documented in how we review casinos: https://casinonodeposits.com/how-we-review-casinos/
Looking for somewhere to play? See our current no deposit bonus offers, updated with verified codes and full wagering terms.
4.6/5
