Bulgarian party We Continue the Change has tabled a bill to tighten gambling advertising rules and close loopholes left by 2024 legislation.
Last year Bulgaria banned bonus advertising entirely, restricted outdoor ads to billboards at least 300 metres from schools, and blocked gambling marketing on TV, radio, social media and in print. But coverage of the FIFA World Cup on state broadcaster BNT drew criticism after operators inbet, Efbet and 8888 ran franchise recruitment spots in prime time. Sponsorships remained untouched: the top football division is branded Efbet League, the second tier MrBit Second League, and the cup competition Sesame Cup. World Cup broadcasts also carried ads for tournament partner Betano.
The new bill proposes a full outdoor advertising ban except at gambling venues themselves, a 10×10 cm limit on logos on adult team kits, and a product placement ban across all media. Health warnings would need to cover at least 10% of any ad space in black text on white background; current rules require warnings but some operators camouflage them by matching background colours.
Party leader Assen Vassilev said loopholes that treat product placement as non-advertising and league naming rights as exempt must be sealed. He called for an EU-level ban on gambling ads on Facebook and Google, modelled on restrictions already applied to political advertising.
