Yes. Bulgaria has very liberal gambling regulations, allowing operators who meet regulation requirements to apply for a license. Lotteries, casino games, and sportsbooks are enjoying widespread popularity throughout the region. The country enforces gambling regulations via a regulatory body, called the National Gambling Agency.
Betting laws in Bulgaria
With the Gambling Act, regulations cover any game of chance, which involves betting and the possibility of winning or losing money. Sports games that don’t include games of chance and award funds are exempt from the Act, except for online or digital games.
If a participant pays a fee to join an online game and receives a prize, the game may fall under the definition of gambling under the Act. However, officials have yet to clarify, provide guidance, or enforce regulations when online games fall under this category.
Gambling online
Online gambling is not separate from other forms of gambling. The Act governs all gambling and games must follow similar regulations, whether organized on land or electronically. Under the Act, online betting refers to all games of chance played via the internet, except instant lottery games or raffles.
However, many international casino and sportsbook websites do not provide Bulgarian translations. Only sites with a gambling license from Bulgaria may have the framework in place to support the country’s domestic gamblers online.
Gaming on land
As land-based betting does not fall under a separate category, the administrative body or State Commission (SCG) oversaw all gaming laws, enforcement, and compliance for digital and physical operations. In 2020, a new National Gambling Agency (NGA) replaced SCG and is responsible for issuing licenses for gaming operators and companies that distribute and maintain gambling technology.
The Agency also approves online software, game rules, and the distribution of approved gaming equipment. By supervising the market, the NGA regulates gaming activity and sanctions operators who violate established regulations in Bulgaria.