As part of the 2026 budget amendments, the Bulgarian Government has announced plans to amend the gambling sector's taxation framework.
More specifically, the budget includes introducing a new tax on intermediaries (affiliate marketers), as well as a 10% tax on player winnings. The Government is expecting to collect an additional €100m from the winnings tax.
Additional funding is needed. Finance Minister Galab Donev has presented the 2026 draft budget of Rumen Radev's Government. The budget projects a deficit of 5.7%, equivalent to just over €7.2bn.
However, state debt is forecast to reach €37.7bn in 2026, remaining below 35% of GDP in line with European legislation.
Deputy Finance Minister Lyudmila Petkova further noted that discussions have been held with banks on measures to block transactions to illegal gambling operators, as well as with internet service providers on blocking access to such operators.
She added that the country's gambling grey market is estimated to account for around 40% of the sector.
In separate news from the country, the Bulgarian Government recently launched a campaign against gambling addiction, with snowboarders Malena Zamfirova and Tervel Zamfirov named as ambassadors.
The Health Minister Mihail Okoliyski earlier highlighted plans to create a new fund to support prevention and treatment programmes for gambling addiction, with rules for grant applications to be introduced soon. The fund was first announced in early April.
The Ministry of Health has already introduced several responsible gambling measures, including a new eHealth mobile application that provides information on gambling addiction and available support services.
The total revenue at the state-owned Bulgarian Sports Totalizator increased 10.6% year-on-year to BGN 472m ($278.8m)
