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Licenses are available to both local and foreign companies
Bulgaria has become a regional hub of the iGaming business thanks to a liberal and at the same time transparent licensing system. The Gambling Act 2012 allows both domestic and foreign companies registered in the European Union (EU) or the European Economic Area (EEA) to obtain licenses.
This approach made the country attractive not only for national operators, but also for large international brands seeking to legally be present in the Southeast European market.
1) Legal framework and jurisdictions of admission
Regulation is based on the Gambling Act 2012 with subsequent amendments (including the 2020 reform).
The main condition for admission is the registration of a legal entity in Bulgaria, the EU or the EEA, as well as compliance with financial transparency standards, KYC/AML and technical certification.
Companies from other countries (outside the EU/EEA) can obtain a license through subsidiaries or local partners.
Regulator:- All licences are issued by the National Revenue Agent (NRA) - the body that replaced the State Gambling Commission in 2020.
2) Types of licenses available for companies
3) Requirements for foreign companies
To obtain a license, a foreign operator must:1. Be registered in the EU/EEA and have a confirmed legal address.
2. Have a clean tax and legal history, no sanctions.
3. Submit financial statements for the last 3 years (audited reports).
4. Appoint a local representative or legal agent in Bulgaria.
5. Ensure technical compatibility with the NRA fiscal system (rates and payments are transmitted in real time).
6. Confirm compliance with KYC, AML, RG and GDPR standards.
4) Financial and licensing fees
The license fee depends on the type of activity and the duration of the permit.
casino/online transactions: fixed fees +% of GGR;
bookmakers: annual duty + fiscal report.
License term: up to 10 years with the right to renew.
Taxation:- for online gambling - tax on GGR (gross revenue) at a set rate;
- for offline operators - equipment tax (slots, roulettes, VLT).
5) Technical and compliance standards
All licensed operators are required to integrate with the NRA's central fiscal system, which receives data on rates, winnings and payouts.
Certification required:- RNG (random number generator) - through accredited laboratories;
- RTP (Return to Player) - must be specified transparently;
- Payment gateways - through licensed PSPs.
- Operators are required to store user data and transaction log for at least 5 years.
6) Responsible Gaming
Foreign operators are required to implement RG tools: deposit and time limits, timeouts, self-exclusion, risk notifications.
The interface must display 18 + warnings, links to help services and QR self-exclusion codes.
The regulator regularly audits RG policies and assesses the effectiveness of notifications and restrictions.
7) Advertising and Marketing
Only licensed operators are allowed to advertise.
All campaigns must include age restrictions, risk information and Responsible Gaming contact.
Banned: Aggressive bonuses, misleading promotions and ads aimed at minors
Foreign brands are obliged to adapt communication to Bulgarian legislation and language.
8) Benefits for international operators
+ Access to the EU market - The Bulgarian license is legal under European regulatory standards.
+ Low entry threshold - compared to MGA or UKGC, licence fees and fees are lower.
+ Fiscal Transparency - Unified Oversight (NRA) and Digital Reporting.
+ Online audience growth - Bulgaria is a mobile-first country with high involvement in live and mobile gambling.
+ Personnel and technical partners - developed IT infrastructure and local content providers.
9) Frequent License Submission Errors
Incomplete KYC/AML document- no official translation of constituent papers;
- Servers do not meet NRA specifications
- marketing plans without an RG section;
errors in GGR tax calculations.
It is recommended that NRA-accredited legal counsel be used to expedite the procedure.
10) Procedure for obtaining a license (step by step)
1. Pre-license consultation with the NRA (business type assessment).
2. Submission of a package of documents (charter, audited reports, IT-scheme, RG-policy).
3. Technical inspection of platform and RNG.
4. KYC/AML audit and verification of beneficiaries.
5. Integration with the NRA system for fiscal reports.
6. License issuance (usually within 60-90 days with a full package).
11) Examples of licensed operators
Efbet is a Bulgarian flagship with an online and offline network.
Winbet - operates in Bulgaria and Romania.
Betano/Kaizen Gaming is a Greek brand that received a Bulgarian license.
8888. bg is a local digital brand with live rates.
Bet365, PokerStars, Bwin - international operators with local domains and NRA permissions.
12) Forecast to 2030
Growing number of international partnerships and M&A in the sector.
Expansion of ESG reporting and public RG metrics.
The possibility of sandbox projects for Web3 and NFT gaming, subject to compliance.
Increased integration with European MiCA (crypto and tokenization).
The Bulgarian license will retain the status of a regional "bridge" between the EU and the Balkans.
The Bulgarian licensing model shows a rare balance between affordability, strict compliance and investment attractiveness.
By granting licenses to both local and foreign companies, the country creates an open, competitive and regulated market where transparency, responsibility and manufacturability are valued.
This flexibility turns Bulgaria into the leading jurisdiction of Eastern Europe - an entry point for international operators, developers and investors seeking to work in the EU legal field.