A Bulgarian gambling licence is a national licence — it is valid for providing gambling services to players in Bulgaria. It does not benefit from EU passporting in the way that financial services licences do. To legally accept players from another EU country, you need either a licence in that country or to operate under that country’s applicable rules. Many operators use a Bulgarian licence as one of several EU national licences in their portfolio. Bulgaria for Business VCC advises on the scope of the Bulgarian gambling licence and the implications for accepting international players.
Gambling Licence in Bulgaria
Online & Land-Based Gambling Authorisation — State Commission on Gambling, Bulgaria
Online & Land-Based
SCG Regulated
EU Member State Licence
3–6 Month Process
KEY FIGURES
BGN 5M Bank guarantee — online gambling organiser
BGN 1M Bank guarantee — online gambling operator
3–6 Months — application timeline
15% Gambling tax rate on gross gaming revenue
Gambling licensing in Bulgaria — the regulatory framework
Gambling in Bulgaria is regulated by the Gambling Act (Закон за хазарта) and supervised by the State Commission on Gambling (Държавна комисия по хазарта — SCG). The SCG is an independent regulatory body responsible for issuing gambling licences, supervising licensed operators, and enforcing the Gambling Act. All forms of gambling in Bulgaria — online and land-based — are prohibited without the appropriate SCG licence.
Bulgaria has one of the more developed gambling regulatory frameworks in the EU, with a clearly structured licensing system covering online gambling, land-based casinos, sports betting, slot machines, and lotteries. The framework distinguishes between gambling organisers (those who organise and run gambling activities directly) and gambling operators (those who provide the technical platform). Each role requires its own distinct licence.
NATIONAL LICENCE — NO EU PASSPORTING: Unlike financial services licences, Bulgarian gambling licences do not benefit from EU passporting. A Bulgarian gambling licence authorises the holder to conduct gambling activities within Bulgaria and to serve Bulgarian players. To legally accept players from other EU countries, operators need separate national licences (or appropriate authorisation) in each target jurisdiction. Bulgaria for Business VCC advises on the scope of the Bulgarian licence and multi-jurisdiction gambling strategies.
Gambling licence types in Bulgaria
The Bulgarian Gambling Act provides for seven principal licence categories — covering the full range of online and land-based gambling activities. The bank guarantee amounts listed below are the defining financial commitment for each licence type.
| Licence type | Description | Bank guarantee | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online gambling organiser licence | Authorisation to organise and operate online (remote) gambling games — casino games, poker, bingo, and other games of chance conducted via the internet, mobile, or other electronic means. | BGN 5,000,000 bank guarantee (~€2,560,000) | 5 years — renewable |
| Online sports betting organiser licence | Authorisation to organise online sports betting — fixed-odds, exchange betting, and live in-play betting offered via digital channels. | BGN 5,000,000 bank guarantee (~€2,560,000) | 5 years — renewable |
| Online gambling operator licence | Licence to operate an online gambling platform on behalf of an organiser — the technology/platform provider role, not the organiser role. | BGN 1,000,000 bank guarantee (~€511,000) | 5 years — renewable |
| Land-based casino licence | Authorisation to operate a land-based casino — table games (roulette, blackjack, poker, baccarat) and electronic gaming machines in a dedicated casino premises. | BGN 2,000,000 bank guarantee + BGN 200,000 per table (~€1,025,000+) | 5 years — renewable |
| Sports betting shop licence | Authorisation to operate land-based sports betting shops (bookmakers) — accepting bets on sporting events at physical premises. | BGN 500,000 bank guarantee (~€256,000) + per-location registration | 5 years — renewable |
| Slot machine / gaming hall licence | Authorisation to operate a gaming hall with slot machines and other electronic gaming machines at a specific physical location. | BGN 100,000 bank guarantee per location (~€51,000) | 5 years — renewable |
| Lottery organiser licence | Authorisation to organise and conduct lottery draws — including instant win (scratch card) and draw-based lotteries. | BGN 500,000 bank guarantee (~€256,000) | 5 years — renewable |
Gambling organiser vs. gambling operator — key distinction
The Bulgarian Gambling Act makes a fundamental distinction between gambling organisers and gambling operators. Understanding this distinction is essential for any business structuring its Bulgarian gambling presence — as it determines which licence is required, the bank guarantee amount, and the nature of the regulatory relationship with the SCG.
| Factor | Gambling Organiser | Gambling Operator (Platform) |
|---|---|---|
| Role | Organises the gambling activity — sets rules, manages players, holds gambling funds, bears player liability | Provides and operates the technical platform on behalf of the organiser — software, servers, payment systems |
| Player relationship | Direct relationship with players — KYC, account management, AML, responsible gambling | Technical provider — no direct player relationship unless also acting as organiser |
| Regulatory relationship | Primary regulatory relationship with the SCG — holds the main gambling licence | Secondary relationship — subject to SCG approval as a platform operator |
| Bank guarantee required | BGN 5,000,000 for online gambling / sports betting organiser | BGN 1,000,000 for online gambling operator |
| B2C or B2B | B2C — directly serves players | B2B — provides platform services to organisers |
| Who needs this | iGaming operators, sportsbooks, online casinos serving Bulgarian players directly | White-label platform providers, turnkey solution providers serving licensed organisers |
WHICH LICENCE DO YOU NEED? Most iGaming businesses that operate a branded player-facing gambling website — taking player deposits, running casino games or sports betting, and paying out winnings — need an organiser licence (BGN 5,000,000 bank guarantee). If you are a B2B technology company providing a white-label platform to licensed operators but not directly accepting players or holding player funds, you may need only an operator licence (BGN 1,000,000 bank guarantee). Bulgaria for Business VCC confirms the correct licence type as part of the free initial regulatory assessment.
Application requirements — what the SCG needs
A Bulgarian gambling licence application requires comprehensive documentation covering the company, its management, its technical platform, its financial standing, and its compliance framework. The SCG conducts a thorough review of all submitted materials.
- Registered Bulgarian company (AD or OOD) — The applicant must be a Bulgarian-registered company. An AD (Joint Stock Company) is required for larger operators; OOD may be acceptable for some licence categories. The company must be 100% owned by fit and proper shareholders.
- Bank guarantee — A bank guarantee (банкова гаранция) from a licensed Bulgarian bank is required in the amount specified for the licence type. The guarantee is issued to the State Commission on Gambling and serves as security for player winnings and tax obligations. This is the most significant financial requirement.
- Fit & proper shareholders and management — All shareholders holding 5%+ and all members of management must satisfy SCG fit and proper criteria — criminal record clearance, absence of insolvency history, no prior gambling licence revocations, relevant experience.
- Technical certification of gambling software — The gambling software (RNG, game logic, platform) must be certified by an accredited testing laboratory (GLI, BMM, eCOGRA, or similar) confirming compliance with Bulgarian technical standards.
- Payment systems documentation — Documentation of payment processing arrangements — payment gateway providers, player fund management procedures, and evidence of segregation of player funds from operational funds.
- AML/CFT compliance programme — A fully documented AML/CFT programme specific to gambling — high-risk customer assessment, PEP screening, source of funds verification for high-value players, suspicious activity reporting to DANS.
- Responsible gambling policy — Documented responsible gambling measures — self-exclusion mechanisms, deposit limits, session time limits, reality checks, and tools for players to manage their gambling behaviour.
- Data protection compliance — GDPR-compliant privacy policy and data processing arrangements for all player personal data — required as a standalone compliance obligation and reviewed as part of the SCG application.
- Physical presence / registered address in Bulgaria — The company must have a registered address in Bulgaria. For land-based licences, approved physical premises are required. For online licences, a genuine operational presence (management, compliance function) in Bulgaria is expected.
- Gambling tax registration — Registration with the National Revenue Agency for gambling tax purposes — 15% tax on gross gaming revenue (for online gambling), or per-device/per-table taxes for land-based operations.
BANK GUARANTEE — CRITICAL PATH ITEM: The bank guarantee is typically the longest-lead item in the gambling application process. The bank must assess the applicant company’s financial standing before issuing the guarantee, which takes 2–4 weeks after the company is properly established. Bulgaria for Business VCC coordinates with our banking partners to streamline the bank guarantee process — starting this process as early as possible in the application timeline.
The application process — step by step
From the initial decision to apply through to first day of licensed operations, the typical timeline for a Bulgarian online gambling organiser licence is 3–6 months. Bulgaria for Business VCC manages every step.
1
Initial assessment & licence type confirmation
We assess your business model — B2C or B2B, online or land-based, games offered — and confirm the correct licence type. We outline all requirements, the bank guarantee amount, software certification needs, and realistic timeline.
Free initial assessment
2
Company formation
Formation of the Bulgarian company — OOD or AD — including Articles of Association, director appointment, share capital deposit, and Commercial Register registration.
2–4 weeks
3
Bank guarantee arrangement
Engagement with a licensed Bulgarian bank to arrange the bank guarantee in favour of the SCG. The bank assesses the company and its shareholders. On approval, the guarantee letter is issued to the SCG.
2–4 weeks from company formation
4
Software technical certification
Submission of the gambling software to an accredited testing laboratory for RNG certification and platform testing. This runs concurrently with other preparation steps to save time.
4–12 weeks depending on scope and lab availability
5
Application documentation preparation
Preparation of the full SCG application package: company documents, management CVs, AML programme, responsible gambling policy, payment systems documentation, technical certification, bank guarantee, and all statutory forms.
3–6 weeks
6
SCG application submission
Submission of the complete application package to the State Commission on Gambling, together with payment of the official SCG application fee. The SCG issues an acknowledgement and begins its review.
Within 1 week of package completion
7
SCG review & supplementary questions
The SCG reviews the application — typically 2–3 months for online gambling organiser licences. The SCG may issue supplementary questions or request additional documentation. We manage all SCG correspondence.
2–4 months from submission
8
Licence issuance & launch
The SCG issues the gambling licence, which is published in the official register. The company may begin accepting players and operating gambling services from the date of licence issuance.
Launch preparations can begin pre-issuance
Gambling taxation in Bulgaria
Licensed gambling companies in Bulgaria are subject to gambling-specific taxes in addition to standard Bulgarian corporate income tax. The gambling tax regime is separate from and in addition to the 10% flat corporate income tax.
| Gambling activity | Tax rate & basis |
|---|---|
| Online casino & games of chance | 15% of Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) — revenue from player bets minus player winnings. Filed and paid monthly to the NRA. |
| Online sports betting | 15% of Gross Gaming Revenue. The tax base is calculated as the total amounts staked minus the total winnings paid out. Filed monthly. |
| Land-based casino — tables | Per-table annual fee, structured by table type. Fixed-amount tax per gaming table, paid annually. Rates set by the Gambling Act. |
| Slot machines / electronic gaming machines | Per-machine annual fee. Fixed-amount tax per slot machine or gaming terminal. Rates vary by machine category. |
| Land-based sports betting — per location | Fixed annual fee per physical betting location, plus 15% GGR on net betting revenue. |
| Lottery | 10% of ticket sales revenue or lottery fund, depending on lottery type. Specific rules apply per lottery category. |
| Corporate income tax on gambling profits | Standard Bulgarian CIT of 10% applies to the gambling company’s net profits (after gambling tax deduction). Gambling tax is not deductible as an expense for CIT purposes. |
GAMBLING TAX: Gambling tax is not deductible as a business expense for corporate income tax purposes under Bulgarian law. Both gambling tax and corporate income tax apply to licensed gambling companies. Bulgaria for Business VCC accounting team handles monthly gambling tax filings and annual financial statements for all licensed gambling clients.
Ongoing obligations after licence issuance
A Bulgarian gambling licence carries substantial ongoing compliance obligations. The SCG actively supervises licensed operators and has powers to impose fines, suspend, or revoke licences for non-compliance. Bulgaria for Business VCC provides ongoing compliance support for all licensed gambling clients.
| Ongoing obligation | Details |
|---|---|
| Monthly gambling tax filing & payment | Monthly calculation and payment of gambling tax (GGR-based for online) to the NRA by the 14th of the following month. Accurate game revenue reporting is essential. |
| Ongoing SCG compliance reporting | Periodic reports to the State Commission on Gambling — financial reports, player activity reports, and technical compliance confirmations as required by the SCG. |
| AML ongoing obligations | Continuous player due diligence — enhanced due diligence for high-value players, source of funds verification, suspicious transaction monitoring, and filing of reports with DANS. |
| Responsible gambling obligations | Maintaining and updating responsible gambling tools — self-exclusion lists (including the national self-exclusion register), deposit limits, session controls, and player protection measures. |
| Technical compliance — software updates | Any update to the gambling software or RNG requires re-certification by an accredited testing laboratory before deployment. Changes must be notified to the SCG. |
| Bank guarantee maintenance | The bank guarantee must remain in place at all times during the licence period. Expiry or reduction of the guarantee requires immediate renewal — failure is grounds for licence suspension. |
| Licence renewal | Gambling licences are issued for 5 years and must be renewed. The renewal application must be submitted before expiry with updated documentation, renewed bank guarantee, and payment of renewal fees. |
| GDPR compliance | Ongoing GDPR compliance for all player data — privacy notices, consent management, data subject rights, breach notification, and data retention compliance. |
Cost overview
The costs of obtaining and maintaining a Bulgarian gambling licence are substantial — dominated by the bank guarantee requirement and the official SCG application fees. All professional fees exclude Bulgarian VAT (20%).
| Item | Description | Cost / Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Company formation (AD or OOD) | Formation of the Bulgarian gambling entity — Articles, director appointment, share capital, Commercial Register filing. | From €300 |
| SCG application fee — online gambling organiser | Official SCG application fee for online gambling organiser licence. | BGN 50,000 (~€25,600) |
| SCG application fee — online sports betting organiser | Official SCG application fee for online sports betting organiser licence. | BGN 50,000 (~€25,600) |
| SCG application fee — online gambling operator | Official SCG application fee for online platform operator licence. | BGN 10,000 (~€5,100) |
| SCG application fee — casino (land-based) | Official SCG application fee for land-based casino licence. | BGN 100,000 (~€51,000) |
| Bank guarantee — online gambling / sports betting organiser | Bank guarantee to be issued by a licensed Bulgarian bank in favour of the SCG. Not a fee — a financial instrument that remains in force during the licence period. | BGN 5,000,000 (~€2,560,000) |
| Bank guarantee — online operator | Bank guarantee for online platform operator licence. | BGN 1,000,000 (~€511,000) |
| Technical certification of gambling software | Accredited testing laboratory certification of RNG, game logic, and platform — by GLI, BMM, eCOGRA, or equivalent. | €5,000–25,000 (varies by scope) |
| Bulgaria for Business VCC — application preparation | Full application package preparation: company structure, SCG documentation, AML programme, responsible gambling policy, payment systems documentation, and regulatory liaison. | From €3,000 |
| Legal address & ongoing compliance | Legal address service and ongoing compliance support — SCG reporting, AML review, tax filing coordination, and licence renewal. | From €400/yr (address) + compliance fees |
| Annual gambling tax (online — illustrative) | 15% GGR — paid monthly. Depends entirely on revenue. Illustrative: 15% × BGN 1,000,000 monthly GGR = BGN 150,000/month. | 15% of monthly GGR |
The bank guarantee is the dominant financial commitment — the annual bank fee for issuing the guarantee (0.5–1.5% of the guarantee amount) is an ongoing cost of licence maintenance. The guarantee itself is not paid to the SCG — it is a contingent liability instrument held by the bank. Official SCG fees are paid directly to the SCG and are not included in Bulgaria for Business VCC service fees.
Frequently asked questions — gambling licence
Key questions answered for foreign entrepreneurs considering a Bulgarian gambling licence.
The bank guarantee (банкова гаранция) is a financial instrument issued by a licensed Bulgarian bank in favour of the State Commission on Gambling. It serves as security for the payment of player winnings and gambling taxes. It cannot typically be substituted by cash deposit or other financial instruments — the SCG requires a guarantee from a licensed Bulgarian credit institution. The guarantee fee charged by the bank is typically 0.5–1.5% per annum of the guarantee amount. For an online gambling organiser’s BGN 5,000,000 guarantee, the annual bank fee is approximately BGN 25,000–75,000 (~€12,800–38,400).
The gambling software — including the random number generator (RNG), game logic, and platform — must be certified by an internationally accredited testing laboratory before the SCG will issue a licence. Accepted laboratories include GLI (Gaming Laboratories International), BMM Testlabs, eCOGRA, and others recognised by the SCG. The certification confirms that the games are fair, the RNG is random, and the platform meets Bulgarian technical standards. Any subsequent change to the certified software requires re-certification before deployment.
The standard timeline for an online gambling organiser or sports betting organiser licence is 3–6 months from submission of a complete application. This assumes a well-prepared application with all required documentation, a certified platform, and an issued bank guarantee. Incomplete applications or those requiring significant supplementary information from the SCG take longer. Bulgaria for Business VCC prepares complete applications to avoid avoidable delays.
Yes. Bulgaria operates a national self-exclusion register (Национален регистър за самоизключване) administered by the State Commission on Gambling. Licensed gambling operators and organisers are required to check the register before onboarding new players and to exclude any registered players from gambling services. Operators must also provide players with the ability to register themselves on the national list. Bulgaria for Business VCC advises on self-exclusion compliance as part of the responsible gambling policy.
Gambling operators and organisers are obliged entities under the Bulgarian Measures Against Money Laundering Act. Key AML obligations include: customer due diligence (CDD) for all players at account opening; enhanced due diligence for high-risk players, PEPs, or those with unusual transaction patterns; source of funds verification for large deposits or winnings above defined thresholds; transaction monitoring for suspicious activity; and reporting of suspicious transactions to DANS. The gambling sector is considered high-risk from an AML perspective — the SCG and DANS conduct regular inspections of gambling AML programmes.
No. The Bulgarian Gambling Act requires the licence applicant to be a company incorporated in Bulgaria. A foreign company cannot directly hold a Bulgarian gambling licence — it must first establish a Bulgarian subsidiary (OOD or AD) which then applies for the licence. The Bulgarian subsidiary can be 100% owned by the foreign parent company. Bulgaria for Business VCC handles the company formation as part of the licensing process.
Expiry of the bank guarantee without renewal is grounds for immediate suspension of the gambling licence by the SCG. The SCG monitors guarantee expiry dates and will act swiftly. Operators must arrange renewal of the bank guarantee at least 30 days before expiry. Bulgaria for Business VCC tracks all compliance deadlines for licensed gambling clients and provides advance notice of approaching guarantee renewal dates.
Start your Bulgarian gambling licence application
Free initial assessment — we confirm the right licence type, outline all requirements including bank guarantee, software certification, and AML obligations, and provide a fixed-fee proposal.
Online gambling organiser
Sports betting
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Casino
Betting shops
Slots
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Bulgaria for Business VCC — Your Trusted Partner for Business Expansion into Bulgaria and the European Union. Gambling licence requirements, bank guarantee amounts, and tax rates are correct as of 2024–2025 and are subject to legislative change. This document is for general information only and does not constitute legal or regulatory advice.