The Bulgarian government introduced new regulations on the gambling industry. The changes aim to prohibit the advertisement of casino-related content in the media. At first, the overall acceptance was high. However, there were still some gray areas where further activities were required.
The Parliament and the National Revenue Agency (NRA) provided additional details recently. In this article, we from Kazino igri BG will introduce the most important points of the country’s gambling laws.
Online Gambling Advertisement
The current regulations affect the promotion of casino-related content on TV, radio, and newspapers. However, the advertisement ban does not apply to the entire Internet. As a result, casino providers have developed more creative ways to continue their marketing reign in Bulgaria. For instance, some social media platforms have remained unaffected by the new regulations.
The key point is whether it could be considered a media outlet. Online platforms that have editorial control over their content would face restrictions. On the other hand, social media distributing information without editing is less likely to be affected. According to the National Revenue Agency, users can choose whether to interact with gambling advertisements.
However, some experts are concerned. According to them, the NRA supervises only TV, radio, newspapers, and some video-sharing platforms like YouTube. The following list includes the criteria that the government will supervise:
Modification of content;
Visibility – the advertisements are visible only to the users in the platform;
Personal choice – whether or not to engage with gambling promotions;
The Answer of Gambling Providers
The regulations over physical gambling venues are improved. According to the newest updates, casinos must be at least 300 meters away from sensitive areas, such as schools and playgrounds. The measure seeks to protect vulnerable groups from gambling-related exposure.
In addition, billboards and posters are part of the restriction. Moreover, Bulgaria’s government has proposed further guidelines for measuring the distance.
New Online Gambling Reporting Requirements
In addition to the new regulations on advertisement, the government has introduced additional requirements for online gambling activity. As of September 2024, casino operators must report data on canceled events to the National Revenue Agency. This provides an easier approach for authorities to keep track of online gambling activities.
Furthermore, the idea of creating a unified reporting system will be introduced at the next Parliament Control. As a result, there would be fewer errors and improved compliance between the authorities and casino operators.
Why Regulations are Required
With the rise of online casino games, such as Chicken Road, the number of players has increased dramatically over the last few years. Moreover, the gambling industry is having an impact on underage Bulgarian citizens. Numerous reports state that there are children who start their gambling journey through shady and unverified casino platforms.
The new regulations are a step toward creating a safer and more transparent gambling environment in the country. Moreover, the Ministry of Health has issued a vote on creating a unified program for people with gambling problems.
In conclusion, Bulgaria’s updated gambling regulations are part of the country’s ongoing efforts to create a fair and responsible gambling environment. Operators must carefully navigate these changes to operate successfully within the new legal framework.
