Bulgaria online gambling license
An EU license regime run by the National Revenue Agency, with a separate license for each online game type and real-time reporting to the regulator. Open to companies from the EU, the EEA and Switzerland through a Bulgarian representative.
- Best for
- EU-licensed B2C with full product range
- Who can be licensed
- B2C operators
- Markets it serves
- EU regulated markets
Bulgaria licenses online gambling through the National Revenue Agency (NRA) under the Gambling Act, with a separate license for each game type, such as betting, casino or poker, each valid for five years. Companies from Bulgaria, the EU, the EEA or Switzerland can apply, with an authorized representative in Bulgaria, and must report to the regulator in real time. Plan for 6–12 months. Since 1 August 2026, affiliates promoting gambling operators in Bulgaria also need NRA approval or a license.
- Status
- Licensing open
- Regulator
- National Revenue Agency
- Legal basis
- Gambling Act, as amended
- Status checked
- October 16, 2026
One license per online game type
Bulgaria licenses the full online product range, but each game type is licensed and certified separately. Decide the product scope before you apply.
Per game type
Online betting, casino games, poker, bingo and other games each need their own license, with certified software for each.
Five-year term
Licenses are issued for five years and can be renewed before expiry when the operator’s compliance record is clean.
Real-time oversight
Licensed operators report to the NRA in real time through a direct connection to its monitoring system.
Who can apply
| Requirement | |
|---|---|
| Legal form | A commercial company (EOOD, OOD, EAD or AD, or a foreign equivalent) |
| Where it is registered | Bulgaria, another EU member state, an EEA state or Switzerland |
| Local presence | Foreign applicants appoint an authorized representative in Bulgaria; no local partner is needed |
| Owners and funds | Shareholders and beneficial owners document the lawful source of their funds |
| Management | Directors and key staff with clean criminal records; an operations manager, an AML officer and a technical lead in place |
What the National Revenue Agency expects
The NRA checks the company, the people, the money and the systems. Software certification and the technical inspection usually take the longest.
Company and representative
Corporate documents, group structure to the beneficial owners and, for foreign applicants, the authorized representative in Bulgaria.
People
Criminal record certificates and CVs for directors and key staff, with the AML officer and technical lead named.
Funds
Evidence of the lawful origin of the capital and of the financial capacity to run the licensed games.
Certified software
Gaming software certified by an accredited laboratory for every game type applied for.
Systems and NRA connection
Central gaming system, data storage and the real-time connection to the NRA, checked in a technical inspection.
Policies
AML/CFT procedures, responsible gambling tools, self-exclusion and terms and conditions.
How the application runs
The NRA reviews a complete application in 60–90 days. With incorporation, certification and inspection, plan for 6–12 months.
- 1Structure and scopeApplicant entity, Bulgarian representative and the game types to license.
- 2CertificationSoftware certified by an accredited laboratory for each game type.
- 3ApplicationCorporate, financial, fit-and-proper and technical file filed with the NRA.
- 4InspectionTechnical inspection of the systems and the real-time NRA connection.
- 5License and go-liveFive-year license per game type and launch under NRA monitoring.
Ongoing obligations
- Real-time reporting to the NRA monitoring system
- Gambling tax on GGR declared and paid by the deadlines
- AML program with a designated AML officer, suspicious activity reports and record keeping for at least five years
- Self-exclusion register checks, deposit and time limits, and help-line information for players
- Segregated player funds and KYC before play
- Advertising only within the narrow exceptions of the Gambling Act
How online gambling is taxed
Gambling tax
Online gambling is taxed at 25% of gross gaming revenue from 1 January 2026, up from 20%.
Corporate tax
Bulgarian corporate income tax of 10% applies to profit, with 5% withholding tax on dividends.
Social responsibility
Online betting operators also pay an annual social responsibility contribution.
Total burden
Together, the gambling tax, contributions and corporate tax can exceed 40% of GGR; we model it for your business plan.
What changed in 2025 and 2026
Advertising ban
Gambling advertising is banned on TV, radio, print, online media and in public places, with narrow exceptions such as the operator’s own site and limited sports sponsorship.
Affiliate licensing
Affiliates promoting gambling operators in Bulgaria need NRA approval or a license since 1 August 2026; affiliates based abroad appoint a Bulgarian authorized representative.
Payment blocking
Payment providers must block transactions with unlicensed gambling sites, alongside the NRA’s blocking of their domains.
Higher tax
The tax on online gambling revenue rose to 25% of GGR from 1 January 2026.
Weighing Bulgaria against other EU markets? Our European gambling license comparison covers all 27 member states: which products each licenses, the regulators, B2B rules and Finland's 2027 opening.
Compare EU marketsFrequently asked questions
Can a Maltese or Cypriot company apply?
Yes. Companies registered in the EU, the EEA or Switzerland can apply directly, with an authorized representative in Bulgaria.
Do I need one license for casino and betting?
No, two. Bulgaria issues a separate online license for each game type, each with its own certified software.
How long is the license valid?
Five years, renewable before expiry when the compliance record is clean.
How long does it take?
The NRA reviews a complete application in 60–90 days. Including incorporation, certification and the technical inspection, plan for 6–12 months.
How is online gambling taxed?
At 25% of gross gaming revenue from 1 January 2026, plus 10% corporate income tax and, for betting, an annual social responsibility contribution.
Can I advertise in Bulgaria?
Only within narrow exceptions. Since 2025 gambling advertising is banned on TV, radio, print, online media and in public places.
Do affiliates need a license?
Yes. Since 1 August 2026, affiliates promoting gambling operators in Bulgaria need an approval or license from the National Revenue Agency, and affiliates based abroad must appoint an authorized representative in Bulgaria.
Ready to apply in Bulgaria?
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