Bulgaria’s Parliament Approves Ban on Gambling Advertising Across Media

On April 30, 2024, in a unanimous vote, Bulgaria’s National Assembly approved significant amendments to the Gambling Act, effectively banning the advertising of gambling across various forms of media, including television, radio, print, and electronic media.

This decision, supported by 200 MPs from all parliamentary groups, marks a pivotal change in the regulation of gambling advertisements within the country.

Key Details of the Amendment

The approved amendments include a comprehensive ban on gambling advertising with the following specifics:

• Allowed Exceptions: The only exceptions to the ban are state’s Sports Totalizer games, which contribute funds to sports and cultural initiatives.
• Restricted Advertising Locations: Advertising is still permissible on billboards, provided they are no less than 300 meters away from schools, kindergartens, and universities.
• Gambling Venues: Advertising can continue within gambling halls, sports facilities, and on sports equipment, except those intended for children. These advertisements must include a disclaimer occupying at least 10% of the area, warning that “gambling leads to addiction.”

Additional Regulations

• Settlement Restrictions: Gambling halls and casinos are restricted to settlements with more than 10,000 inhabitants, though exceptions are made for resorts and locations within 30 kilometers of border points.
• Online Betting Limits: The amendments also introduce limitations on online betting and stipulate measures for the monitoring of illegal gambling advertising by the Council for Electronic Media, which will collaborate with the National Revenue Agency to enforce sanctions.

Implementation and Impact

• Effective Date: The law regarding advertising will take effect three days post-promulgation. For gambling halls in smaller settlements, there is a grace period of three years.
• Economic and Social Concerns: The decision has sparked significant backlash from several media groups and associations within the gambling industry. Critics argue that the ban could severely impact media revenue, potentially threatening media independence. Additionally, concerns were raised about the potential rise in illegal gambling activities due to these restrictions.

The Association of Bulgarian Radio and Television Broadcasters expressed that the ban could equate to a prohibition on the provision of media services, highlighting the importance of gambling advertising revenues for financial sustainability