Sports betting in Bulgaria is fully legal under the Gambling Act, which came into force in 1999 and has been amended several times to modernize regulatory requirements (2). Both land-based and online sportsbooks operate under this framework, provided they hold the appropriate license.
The licensing and oversight of all sports betting activities fall under the National Revenue Agency (NRA), specifically the Directorate “Supervision of Gambling and Gambling Activities” (1). Operators must apply for a category A license, meet financial and technical criteria, and comply with responsible gambling measures.
"The state supervision in the field of gambling and gambling activities shall be carried out by the Director General of the National Revenue Agency, who may also exercise his powers through his deputies and specialised administrative structures."
Licensed operators are subject to taxation and must adhere to anti-money laundering rules, including participant verification and transaction monitoring (2). Betting outcomes must be reported to the NRA’s central systems, and unlicensed operators face substantial fines or website blocking.
Advertising of sports betting is regulated to protect minors and prevent misleading promotions, with strict controls on media content and sponsorships. Recent updates have increased penalties for non-compliance and strengthened consumer protection measures, ensuring a safer betting environment.
Source:
https://nra.bg/wps/portal/nra-en/gambling.en
https://www.minfin.bg/upload/1913/Gambling_Act.pdf
Last updated: 28-05-2025 Disclaimer: This article does not provide legal advice. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney directly.
