The Bulgarian administration has voted to prohibit gambling promotions.
The Bulgarian administration has voted to pass a measure that will enforce new regulations on gambling promotions, essentially prohibiting nearly all gambling ads.
The measure, which was presented last week, suggests prohibiting gambling promotions on the internet, television, radio, and printed materials. Promotions will also not be permitted on structures.
The measure was jointly presented by the Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria and the Movement for Rights and Freedoms.
The new regulations now seem to be taking effect. Yesterday (April 30), in a second reading session, 198 members of parliament voted in favor of the measure, with no absences or abstentions.
The passage of the measure signifies that it will take effect three days after its publication in the State Gazette. It is presently unclear when this will occur.
What are the new regulations in Bulgaria?
The measure aims to modify Bulgaria’s gambling law. It encompasses various other modifications to the country’s laws, with the new advertising being the primary revision.
Besides specifying where promotions cannot be displayed, the measure also includes information on where promotions are permitted to be displayed. Promotions are only permitted on billboards located at least 100 meters away from schools, and on the structures of gaming halls and casinos.
Nevertheless, the prohibition doesn’t apply to television broadcasts of Bulgarian sports lottery drawings.
Commercials must contain responsible gaming details. The legislation specifies that this information must constitute at least 10% of each advertisement and provide consumers with pertinent information.
Operators who breach the new regulations could face penalties of up to 50,000 Bulgarian leva (£21,842 / €25,565 / $27,285). Repeat violators could also have their permits revoked in Bulgaria.
The Electronic Media Council will monitor the implementation of the regulations. For any infringements, it will refer the matter to the Bulgarian National Revenue Agency (NRA).
Additional changes to the gambling law
Other provisions in the now-approved bill include a rise in the funds required for companies to apply for slot machine licenses. This will increase from 500,000 Bulgarian leva to 750,000 Bulgarian leva.
The bill also only permits slot machines and casino gambling in areas with a population exceeding 10,000 people. This excludes national resorts and border regions. Earlier this month, the Romanian Parliament voted on a similar proposal.
In the meantime, licensees must now pay a “social responsibility fee,” which for online gambling is set at 100,000 Bulgarian leva. 50% of this will go to the Ministry of Health for the treatment and support of gambling addicts.
In addition to other modifications, one clause forbids individuals receiving public assistance from erasing their names from the national self-exclusion gaming registry.
Bulgaria’s gambling industry is thriving, and these new regulations are merely a part of the most recent adjustments to the nation’s gambling rules.
Last August, the National Revenue Agency established a new anti-money laundering division to enforce anti-money laundering requirements. This encompasses key issues like customer verification and transaction monitoring.
Last year, the National Revenue Agency also instructed operators to prohibit self-excluded employees from entering casinos or gaming halls.
The National Revenue Agency assumed control of gambling regulation in the country after Bulgaria disbanded the National Gambling Commission in 2020.
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