Bulgaria Market Shows Steady Growth for the First Nine Months of 2018
Published December 27, 2018 by Lee R
A healthy economy is emerging to bolster iGaming in Bulgaria.
New figures from Bulgaria indicate an uptake in tax contribution for 2018's first nine months.
Total Taxes Paid
An annual report from the Bulgarian Trade Association of Manufacturers and Operators in the Gaming Industry's (BTAMOI) indicates BGN111.6m (€57m/$64m) as the total amount the online sector paid in taxes for the first nine months of 2018, representing a 17% year-on-year jump.
Fees Percentage
Of that submission, BTAMOI indicated 26% coming from licence fees, with the remaining coming from a 20% tax on GGR, which converts to total take for the period for Bulgaria’s 13 regulated sites—which includes prominent operators bet365 and GVC's bwin—of total handle of BGN413.5.
Online Share
Online gaming contributed 10% of Bulgaria’s total gambling market, with the remainder generated by land-based operators.
Total Contribution
The total gambling tax contribution for none months through September tallied out at BGN174.4m for a 20% year-on-year increase, a rise which transcended concerns about drops in patronage from Turkish visitors.
Drivers of Growth
BTAMOI attributed the growth to the dual drivers of increased availability of new technology and accelerated 3.6% economic growth, further thanks to increased private consumption and decreased unemployment.
The Gaming Market
As for the role of iGaming, the report claims “the gaming industry is a factor in economic development, providing long-lasting employment, adding a further variety of services to tourism, and last but not least, attracting foreign investments in the country.”
Looking Forward
As for Bulgaria's near future, BTAMOI chairman Angel Iribozov told iGamingBusiness.com 2019 should display be more of the stability exhibited in the last couple of years.
Government Attitude
As for the government's openness, Iribozov characterized the Bulgarian government as generally accepting of the industry, despite a controversial law passed restricting gaming advertising in 2018.
Growth
The online gambling segment in Bulgaria posted revenue of €89 million in the nine months to September 30, a spike of 30 per cent year-on-year.
Full Year Prognostication
Iribozov further projected the full-year figure to come in 13-15% higher than 2017's total of BGN200.5m.
More License Requirements
Licensed online gambling operators in Bulgarian online gambling licensees pay an upfront fee of BGN100k and are taxed at a rate of 20% of their gross gambling revenue, with a further requirement of an annual BGN50k contribution to social causes.
Outlook
The land-based industry remains significant, but the emerging nature of the economy in Bulgaria suggests that online play will bolster new growth.
