On December 5, 2025, Bulgaria’s National Assembly voted decisively against a proposal to bring all gambling activities under state monopoly. The motion, put forward by Mech party MP Hristo Rastashki and backed by the far-right Vazrazhdane, secured only 58 votes in favor, with 14 against and 96 abstentions. This decision reflects a significant preference among lawmakers for maintaining a competitive, privatized gambling market rather than consolidating it under government control.
Proponents of the defeated proposal argued that gambling presents a social threat by exploiting vulnerable individuals, suggesting that state oversight would offer better consumer protection and regulatory compliance. They highlighted issues with the current enforcement of advertising restrictions, pointing to inadequacies in managing gambling-related promotions. However, the bill’s supporters could not convince a majority that nationalizing gambling would bring about the desired control without adverse consequences.
Opponents of the state monopoly plan stressed that such a move could harm Bulgaria’s gambling tourism industry. Bulgaria has become a favored destination for gamblers, particularly attracting visitors from countries like Israel and Iran. Introducing a state monopoly was projected to potentially decrease tax revenues by €200 million annually, as it could drive gamblers to seek out unregulated and illegal gambling venues instead. This concern about illegal gambling is not unfounded; various countries have experienced increased black market activity following stringent restrictions on legal gambling.
The rejection of the state monopoly aligns with an alternate legislative proposal from Bulgaria’s ruling majority. This proposal aims to privatize the country’s state lottery and sports betting activities, particularly the Bulgarian Sports Totalizator (BST). Over recent years, the BST has held a monopoly since 2020 but has consistently underperformed compared to private operators before the market’s reorganization. This performance shortfall has driven calls for a restructuring model through privatization.
The proposed privatization would involve a long-term concession model, opening a competitive bidding process by March 31, 2026. Only Bulgarian-registered entities or foreign companies with a physical presence in Bulgaria would be eligible to apply. The concession would be expected to last at least 15 years, encouraging stable investment and development within the sector.
This legislative divergence highlights the ongoing debate in Bulgaria over the best approach to regulating and profiting from gambling activities. Advocates for privatization argue that allowing private sector competition can enhance efficiency and boost revenues, as evidenced by the performance of private operators prior to the BST’s monopoly.
Nevertheless, the idea of privatizing such significant components of the gambling industry is not without its critics. Concerns persist about the potential for reduced state oversight and the risks associated with prioritizing profits over player protection. Critics argue that privatization could lead to aggressive marketing tactics aimed at vulnerable populations and insufficient safeguards against gambling addiction.
Contextually, Bulgaria’s gambling market has been a point of contention for years. In the past decade, the country has seen various legislative efforts aimed at modernizing its gambling laws to reflect changing societal attitudes and economic conditions. The global gambling industry is immense, with a market size expected to reach several hundred billion dollars by 2030. Countries around the world grapple with the balance between maximizing economic benefits from gambling while minimizing societal harms.
The Bulgarian debate mirrors wider global discussions on gambling regulation. In some nations, state control is seen as a way to ensure earnings support public projects directly. In contrast, others favor privatization to spur innovation and responsiveness to market demands. Bulgaria’s decision to pursue a privatized model for its gambling operations could serve as a case study for other countries weighing similar options.
In conclusion, while Bulgaria’s National Assembly has turned down the state monopoly proposal, the conversation about gambling regulation is far from over. The decision underscores a significant policy shift toward privatization and market-driven solutions but also opens the door to further debates on how best to balance the interests of economic efficiency, revenue generation, and societal welfare in the gambling sector. As Bulgaria moves forward with its privatization plan, the government and industry stakeholders will need to carefully monitor and address any emerging issues relating to market regulation and player protection.
