Bulgarian Gaming Commission Licensed Online Casinos and Information on Bulgaria Regulatory Body

Overview

Different forms of land-based gambling activities have been legal in Bulgaria since 1993. This is also the year that marked the beginning of the modern Bulgarian gambling market. In 2008, online gambling activities have been legalized in the country and this is when the Bulgarian Gaming Commission was tasked with issuing remote gambling licenses and permits.

The Bulgarian Gaming Commission operates under the main gambling legislature which is the Gambling Act 2012. The Gambling Act was amended a decade ago but it preserved all the basic gambling regulations from the original gambling legislation which was introduced in 1993. 

The Bulgaria Regulatory Body issues gambling licenses and permits to commercial companies registered in the country. Companies based in the EU or any of the EEA states can also obtain gambling licenses from the Bulgaria Regulatory Body according to the main licensing requirements. 

There are also specific licensing requirements for operators that want to obtain a permit to operate a sports betting business. According to the Gambling Act Article 6, these types of licenses are only issued to companies whose have their central computer system has a system for easy identification and registration of all participants in sports betting activities. 

Under the Gambling Act, the Bulgarian Gaming Commission issues a variety of gambling-related licenses, including licenses to operate instant lotteries, raffles, and lottery games, licenses to offer sports betting activities and horse race betting, licenses to operate slot machines, and licenses to operate other casino games. 

Gambling operators require a separate license issued by the Bulgarian Gaming Commission to offer each different form of game of chance as mentioned on the official website. When it comes to the cost of obtaining a remote gambling license from the Bulgarian Gaming Commission, operators usually pay around €50,000 and this does not include extra fees. 

The process of submitting licensing application involves sending the regulatory body all the required documentation. Only companies with no administrative penalties in the last five years can apply for licensing.