Bulgaria PM Radev pushes near-total ban on gambling ads

The plan keeps only sports sponsorships on shirts & stadiums, plus a tax hike & casino sign ban.

The hit

Bulgaria’s government wants to ban nearly all gambling advertising, according to GamblingNews. PM Rumen Radev submitted the plan for public consultation, keeping only sports sponsorships on jerseys & at sports facilities as exceptions. Radev said the changes target problem gambling & marketing that reaches children. All gambling machines would also have to connect to the National Revenue Agency, a move Radev says will cut money laundering & financial fraud risks.

Why it matters

The plan goes further than Bulgaria’s current TV & radio ad ban. Operators would also lose illuminated casino signage & face a tax hike on both online & retail activity. Radev says some of that tax money would fund sport & education, & wants offshore operators serving Bulgarian players brought under local law.

The record

Current ad rules	TV & radio ads already banned for all operators except the National Lottery
Proposed ad exception	Sports sponsorships on jerseys & at sports facilities only, due to budget deficiencies (Radev)
Tax plan	Hike affecting both online & retail operators, per Radev’s government
2026 budget	Opposition’s earlier tax hike & ad ban proposals were rejected

What happens next

Watch the public consultation process on Radev’s proposed changes, & whether the tax hike makes it into a future budget.

Sources: Bulgaria Eyes Stricter Restrictions, Including a Complete Ban on Gambling Ads

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