Bulgaria: Unlicensed gambling sites will be blocked within 24 hours

The Bulgarian National Revenue Agency (NRA) has reminded on its website about Gambling Act changes that entered into force at the beginning of the month.

These pertain to blocking unlicensed gaming sites. According to the new measures, ISPs and other public electronic communications providers are required to block such sites within 24 hours following a decision published by the regulator.If they fail to comply, they can be subject to sanctions.

Last month, Bulgaria’s National Assembly approved amendments to the Gambling Act as part of wider state budget measures, regulating gambling affiliates while rejecting proposals for stricter advertising restrictions.

The changes establish licensing and rules for affiliates, allowing companies and platforms that promote gambling products to operate under defined requirements. Both Bulgarian and foreign legal entities and individuals will be permitted to carry out affiliate activities.

Separately, the Ministry of Finance announced it had begun a comprehensive review of the country’s Gambling Act.

Deputy Finance Minister Lyudmila Petkova told Parliament’s Budget Committee that repeated amendments introduced through unrelated legislation created inaccuracies that could take years to correct.

The wider review will also address gaps in secondary legislation. Regulations covering maximum online play periods, loss limits, stake limits and protections for players under 24 have yet to be fully implemented despite amendments passed in 2024.

A separate regulation concerning gambling addiction treatment was published for consultation in March 2026 but has not entered into force. The case remains before the courts, while an interpretative ruling from the Supreme Administrative Court is pending.

In April, Bulgaria’s Health Ministry proposed revised funding procedures for gambling addiction treatment and prevention, including additional protections for younger and vulnerable groups.