Bulgaria’s new gambling age plan ‘legally unsound,’ group says
The Bulgarian Gaming Association has strongly criticised a proposal to raise the legal gambling age in Bulgaria from 18 to 21, warning that the measure could unintentionally push young adults toward illegal betting platforms. The industry group argues that restricting access to the regulated market may not reduce gambling among younger players but instead divert them to unlicenced operators operating outside state oversight.
In an exclusive interview with SiGMA News, Yanko Petev, a representative of the Bulgarian Gaming Association, said the proposal unfairly restricts adults who are already recognised as legally responsible citizens under Bulgarian law.
The association blamed the proposal as “legally unsound,” “pre-election populism,” and “discriminatory,” stressing that the measure could encourage young people to turn to the unregulated and potentially hazardous illegal market rather than protecting them.
“The proposal to raise the gambling age from 18 to 21 is legally unsound and discriminatory toward adult citizens.” He further added, “At 18, Bulgarian citizens gain full legal capacity under the law, including the right to vote, marry, and work.”
Law won’t ‘protect the young’
Petev warned that limiting access to the regulated market could have unintended consequences for younger adults who are among the most digitally active groups in the country. “Restricting access to the regulated market will not protect young people – it will simply push them toward illegal operators. Illegal gambling markets provide no consumer safeguards, no oversight and no protection against fraud or addiction.”
“Creating a restriction only for gambling makes this policy unjustified.”
– Yanko Petev, Bulgaria Gaming Association
Industry groups such as the Association of the Gaming Industry in Bulgaria, the Bulgarian Association of Gambling Activities, and the Association of Gambling Organisers and Activities in Bulgaria argue that the proposed restriction could strengthen the country’s existing illegal gambling ecosystem by diverting younger players away from licenced operators.
Young adults between 18 and 21 are among the most active online. Data from Blask shows that younger people make up a large part of Bulgaria’s gambling audience. People aged 25 to 34 make up 35 percent, 18 to 24-year-olds make up 30 percent, 20 percent are 35 to 44, and 15 percent are 45 to 54.
Petev said such a shift could weaken consumer protections while also damaging the regulated sector. “Creating a ban for adults aged 18 to 21 risks driving one of the most digitally active groups toward unregulated online platforms. The measure would strengthen the grey economy while weakening the regulated sector.”
Petev also warn that the policy could have significant financial implications for the state. He added, “The industry believes such a policy could result in the loss of hundreds of millions of leva in state revenues annually.”
According to the joint statement submitted by the Bulgarian Gaming Association, along with three other groups, diverting players to illegal platforms could reduce government tax revenues.
Challenging the EU?
Another argument raised by the industry concerns the absence of similar policies across the European Union. Petev noted, “No European Union member state has introduced a blanket gambling age above 18. Introducing such a restriction would isolate Bulgaria from established European standards.”
Across the European Union, gambling regulation remains largely the responsibility of individual member states. However, national policies must still comply with internal market principles governing cross-border services.
Legal challenges related to national gambling rules are overseen by the Court of Justice of the European Union, which assesses whether restrictions are proportionate and justified by public policy objectives such as preventing addiction or fraud.
Questioning legal process
The Bulgarian Gaming Association also criticised the legislative process behind the proposal. Petev claimed, “The draft legislation was introduced without proper impact analysis, empirical evidence or consultation with industry stakeholders.”
The concern was also echoed by several responsible gambling organisations. However, the explanatory memorandum attached to the bill still refers to the State Gambling Commission, a regulator that was abolished in 2020. Following regulatory reforms, responsibility for overseeing gambling activities in Bulgaria was transferred to the National Revenue Agency.
Critics say the reference to a defunct institution calls into question the preparation and accuracy of the legislation. And so, the Association say they support responsible gambling policies but argue that raising the legal gambling age could damage the regulated market rather than protect consumers. For now, Parliamentary committees are expected to assess the proposal in the coming weeks.
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