Bulgaria B
ulgaria has had legal gambling since 1993. A thriving black market existed before then but in this year the government legalised casinos,
bingo halls and a lottery and the market began to grow.
The growth of gambling in Bulgaria has in part worked hand in hand with tourism whilst also cashing in on previous anti gambling laws in Turkey and Greece.
Casinos have existed in Bulgaria since 1979 when the first one opened at the hotel Vitosha-New Otani, a Japanese hotel chain. This was the first casino in the ex- socialist countries and at this time the casinos were only permitted for foreigners visiting or living in the country or organised junkets from Israel and Greece.
This continued after 1989 until the demise of the Communist government. After this time there was no real gaming law and hotels just opened up parlours or casinos to cater for the foreign market. For two years the market was unregulated and chaotic. Then in 1993 gaming was officially regulated through a government decree.
Initially the law was a little obscure and gaming grew rapidly. Today the gambling sector is governed by the State Gambling Commission which runs via the
The sector runs via the Gambling Act. A new Bulgarian Gambling Act was introduced in March 2012 and this laid the
foundations for the legalisation of online gaming and betting.
Ministry of Finance and consists of a Chairman and four members all with at least five years experience.
The sector runs via the Gambling Act. A new Bulgarian Gambling Act was introduced in March 2012 and this laid the foundations for the legalisation of online gam- ing and betting. It was amended in January 2014 which saw a new taxation regime introduced.
The Gambling Act includes the following points: l
Gambling games can only be conducted in Bulgarian levs and Euro.
l Gambling games and activities can be organised by:
- Companies which must be registered in the Republic of Bulgaria or another EU member state, another state signatory to the European Economic Area Agreement or the Swiss Confederation.
- Sole proprietors – only gambling games on gam- 8 6 l
bling machines and activities of manufacturing, import, distribution and service.
- The state – supporting sports, culture, health care, education and social services.
- Non profit legal entities for social work activity.
- Non profit legal entities registered in an EU mem- ber state, European Economic Area Agreement or Swiss Confederation.
A licence for operating a casino can only be issued to a limited liability company or joint stock company with registered shares.
- For lottery – investments must be not less than
BGN1m and funds for organising the game not less than BGN1m
- For sports betting and horse and dog racing and game of chance events – investments must be not less than BGN1m and funds for organising the game not less than BGN1m.
- For raffles, keno, instant lottery and slot gaming – investments must be not less than BGN100,000 and funds for organising not less than BGN200,000.
- For casino gambling – investments must be not less than BGN600,000 and funds for organising not less than BGN600,000.
- Online gaming – investments must be not less than BGN600,000 for online betting and BGN300,000 for
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