Bulgaria’s government has submitted legislation proposing a near-total gambling advertising ban and an end to affiliate operators’ activities, advancing reforms first outlined during a public consultation in September.
The Council of Ministers approved the amendments on 11 November 2026. The National Assembly registered them the same day as Bill No. 52-602-01-66, marking a new stage in the legislative process rather than the introduction of enforceable restrictions.
The government has formally sent proposed Gambling Act amendments to parliament.
The bill would prohibit gambling advertising and end affiliate operators’ promotional activities.
Limited brand visibility would remain possible through specified sponsorship arrangements.
Online betting operators would face a minimum €100,000 monthly variable licence fee.
Foreign online operators would need to establish a business in Bulgaria.
According to the government’s official announcement, the proposed changes would ban advertising for gambling games, their organisers and associated branding.
Some limited brand exposure would remain permitted through sponsorship of sports clubs, federations and other organisations, alongside support for cultural, healthcare and educational activities. The scope of these exceptions will matter for operators managing existing sponsorship contracts.
The bill also calls for affiliate operators to cease their activities. That proposal is particularly significant because Bulgaria previously introduced a licensing framework for gambling affiliates, as covered in Ace Alliance’s report on affiliate licensing requirements.
The new submission follows the September consultation on tighter gambling advertising controls, but parliamentary consideration is a distinct development. The proposed restrictions are not yet law.
The reforms extend beyond marketing. For online betting licences, the government proposes a minimum monthly variable component of €100,000.
Foreign legal entities offering online betting would also be required to maintain a business establishment in Bulgaria, intended to improve oversight of gambling-related revenue, payouts and tax obligations.
For land-based operators, the package envisages higher alternative taxation in 2027, followed by a different two-part state fee structure from 2028. The bill also proposes additional licensing charges and financial contributions.
The National Assembly’s official legislative record confirms that the bill has been referred to several parliamentary committees, with the Budget and Finance Committee designated as the lead.
Operators, affiliates and commercial partners should therefore distinguish between existing compliance requirements and measures still under parliamentary review. Advertising contracts, sponsorship inventory, affiliate agreements and financial forecasts could require adjustment if the provisions are enacted.
Parliament may amend the draft before any final vote. The latest milestone is its formal submission, not approval of the advertising or affiliate bans.
