In the period from October to December 2023, the Bulgarian Tax Service took decisive action by ordering the blocking of more than 600 betting sites operating without the necessary licenses.
Illegal online bookmakers were given a three-day ultimatum to cease their operations, failing which the National Revenue Agency (NRA) retains the authority to pursue legal action against these organizations that fail to comply with the tax authorities' directives.
Bulgaria, with a population of approximately 6.5 million people, has faced challenges related to gambling addiction, with Gallup surveys indicating that nearly half of the population, around 3.25 million people, are involved in gambling activities. Around 300 thousand Bulgarians are identified as regular customers of casinos. A report from the Center for the Study of Democracy in 2018 noted that 86% of the population had never won in gambling activities. The recent crackdown on illegal online bookmakers reflects the government's commitment to regulate the industry and ensure compliance with licensing requirements.
