Bulgarian Gambling License

Publication date: 10 April 2026

The Bulgarian Gambling License is a permit to conduct bookmaking operations, operate online casinos, and offer other types of gambling activities. It is issued by the State Commission on Gambling of Bulgaria (SCG). This license is mandatory for all operators working with Bulgarian users, both online and offline. Online betting and online casinos are permitted with a valid license. Operating without one results in website blocking and fines. More information about the iGaming market in Bulgaria and practical aspects for affiliate marketing can be found in the 3S.INFO article: Bulgaria iGaming Review.

This information is current as of April 2026. Regulatory requirements are subject to change. Be sure to consult with local legal counsel before submitting any documentation.

Key Legislative Changes (2024–2026)

The Bulgarian Gambling Act (Bulgarian: Закон за хазарта) is regularly updated. In recent years, the regulator has focused on three key areas: ownership transparency, digital oversight, and advertising.

Since 2024, beneficiaries holding a stake of 5% or more are subject to mandatory disclosure and verification. This amendment has effectively closed the nominee ownership loophole. At the same time, reporting requirements have tightened. Operators are now required to provide the regulator with real-time access to betting and transaction data.

A separate section addresses advertising. The law restricts aggressive marketing and requires clear warnings about the risks of addiction.

Key Changes 2024–2026:

• The register of prohibited websites has been expanded;
• Beneficiaries holding a stake of 5% or more are now entered into a public register;
• Tighter controls on advertising across digital channels have been introduced;
• The regulator has been granted real-time access to operator data.

Who Can Obtain a Bulgarian Gambling License

1. A legal entity registered in the EU or EEA.
2. A physical office in Bulgaria is mandatory.
3. A designated local representative.
4. Transparent ownership structure and a verified source of funds.
5. No criminal record for beneficiaries.
6. Minimum share capital: BGN 100,000 (~€51,000) for online operators.

Types of Licenses and Permits in Bulgaria

All licenses are issued by the National Revenue Agency of Bulgaria (NRA), which serves as the gambling regulator.

Prohibited Activities in Bulgaria

• Financial betting (wagers on currency exchange rates, stocks): prohibited.
• Crypto betting: no direct ban exists, but AML requirements make it practically unfeasible.

Bulgarian Gambling License: Financial Obligations and Taxation

Hidden Costs When Obtaining a Bulgarian License

In addition to the official fees, budget for the following ancillary services:

1. Legal support: €20,000–€50,000.
2. Technical audit and platform certification: €10,000–€30,000.
3. AML system implementation and consulting: €5,000–€15,000.
4. Accounting services and local representative: from €10,000 per year.

Gambling License: Technical Requirements & Infrastructure

The Bulgarian regulator does not require mandatory hosting of servers within the country. Remote access to data is sufficient. This simplifies market entry for international operators compared to Poland, where servers must be physically located on local territory.

Key Technical Requirements:

• There is no official requirement to host servers in Bulgaria, but the regulator must have continuous access to the data.
• Mandatory integration with the monitoring system, the specifications for which are provided by the SCG after the application is submitted.
• Player and transaction data must be retained for a minimum of 5 years.
• Compliance with GDPR is required.
• Gaming software is subject to mandatory certification by accredited testing laboratories (e.g., GLI, BMM Testlabs).

Domain and Marketing Requirements

1. The .bg domain is not mandatory, but its use enhances player trust.
2. Gambling advertising must include clear warnings about the risks of addiction.
3. Targeting minors (under 18) is prohibited.
4. Bonus offers are regulated. Misleading players is not permitted.

AML/CFT Procedures

In Bulgaria, oversight of anti-money laundering and counter-financing of terrorism is conducted by the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU). It operates under the State Commission on Gambling and receives all reports from licensed operators. The requirements are aligned with the EU’s 5th Anti-Money Laundering Directive (AMLD5).

Prior to submitting a license application, the company is required to develop and approve internal AML policies. These policies must outline KYC procedures, transaction monitoring, and reporting protocols.

Key Operator Obligations:

• Conduct full player identification (KYC);
• Monitor suspicious transactions and report them to the FIU;
• Appoint a designated AML officer;
• Retain records for a minimum of 5 years.

Current local payment methods for Bulgaria and other GEOs that help maintain deposit conversion rates can be found in the 3S.INFO article: LPM in iGaming Media Buying 2026.

Responsible Gambling

The SCG requires operators to implement player protection tools. The minimum set includes a self-exclusion system, deposit limits, and mandatory warnings about the risks of addiction. The duration of self-exclusion is set by the operator, but the minimum period is 24 hours.

Mandatory Requirements:

1. A self-exclusion system with a minimum duration of 24 hours. Longer exclusion periods are set by the operator at their discretion and must be specified in the user agreement.
2. The ability to set deposit and wagering limits.
3. Age verification (18+).
4. Informing players about the risks of gambling (mandatory banners and notifications).

Licensed and Blocked Operators

Licensed operators in Bulgaria: Efbet, Palms Bet, Winbet, Sesame, Eurofootball, bet.bg, 8888.bg, Alphawin, Topwin, Inbet.

International brands without a local license are blocked. The register of prohibited websites includes 1xBet, Bet365, Leonbets, Bwin, Melbet, Parimatch, Mostbet, Betwinner, 22Bet, Pin-Up and others.

The current list of all licensed operators is published in the official register of the National Revenue Agency.

Bulgaria’s Register of Prohibited Websites

The SCG maintains a public register of illegal operators. Inclusion in the register occurs either upon the regulator’s own initiative or in response to complaints. Internet service providers are required to block access to such websites within a matter of days. Payment systems also cease processing transactions for blacklisted domains.

The status of a website can be verified via the NRA’s public register of prohibited domains.

Licensing Process (Step by Step)

1. Company registration in the EU/EEA: 1–2 months.
2. Opening an office in Bulgaria and preparing the corporate structure: 1–2 months.
3. Preparation of documentation (financials, platform, AML policies): 2–3 months.
4. Submission of the application to the SCG and review: 3–6 months.
5. Technical audit and system verification: 1–2 months.

Total timeframe: 6–12 months

Directors’ Liability and Reporting Obligations

In Bulgaria, directors and beneficiaries bear personal responsibility for compliance with licensing requirements. This means that fines and sanctions apply not only to the company but also to specific executives.

The following must be submitted to the SCG on a monthly basis:

• Reports on betting volumes and payouts;
• GGR tax reporting (by the 15th day of the month);
• Data for AML monitoring;
• Data protection systems audit (conducted quarterly).

Violations can lead to fines, license suspension, and, in the event of money laundering, criminal liability for directors.

Comparison with Other Jurisdictions

The Bulgarian model occupies an intermediate position between Poland’s strict regulatory framework and Malta’s flexible yet costly system.

Poland. Private operators are only permitted to offer sports betting; online casino operations remain a state monopoly. The security deposit is approximately €110,000, and the tax is 12% of turnover (not GGR). This makes Poland a less attractive option for casino operators.

Malta (MGA). The GGR tax rate is 5% on the first €10 million; however, capital requirements are higher, and the licensing process is more complex and time-consuming. Malta is best suited for large international brands.

Curaçao. The entry threshold is low (starting from €15,000), but the jurisdiction’s reputation has declined. EU payment systems and banks frequently block transactions from operators holding a Curaçao license.

Bulgaria. A balanced alternative: a fixed tax of 20% on GGR, clear and transparent requirements, and both sports betting and casino games are permitted. Operators are not required to host servers within the country. This makes Bulgaria an excellent choice for mid-sized businesses targeting the Eastern European market.

Fines and Penalties