Bulgaria’s long-delayed 2026 budget is headed to the National Assembly for a final vote, and it adds a licensing regime and a new dual tax for gambling affiliates.
The budget stalled for months under a caretaker government that lacked the power to pass a full spending package. That changed after the 19 April snap election, when former president Rumen Radev’s party won the largest share of votes and formed a government able to advance fiscal policy. Ministers have now finalised the budget, which moves to the National Assembly for final approval.
The plan projects a deficit of 5.7%, around €7.2 billion (£6.16 billion), against €49.5 billion in planned income and €56.8 billion in costs.
New licensing and tax rules for affiliates
To close part of that gap, policymakers want a formal licensing regime for gambling affiliates working with regulated operators. Affiliates would also pay a two-part levy: an annual €6,000 fee, plus a variable 10% tax on commission earned from measurable promotional activity tied to gambling. Officials expect the wider gambling sector to generate an extra €100 million a year in tax revenue as a result. Bulgaria’s online gambling market has grown steadily in recent years, giving the treasury a larger affiliate and operator base to draw from.
Advertising dispute over World Cup coverage
The tax plan lands as a row over gambling advertising reaches a boiling point. Critics accused public broadcaster Bulgarian National Television (BNT) of airing gambling adverts during its live coverage of FIFA World Cup matches, in apparent tension with a 2024 law, signed by Radev, that bans advertising which incentivises or promotes gambling on TV, radio and in designated public areas.
BNT rejected the claim:
“Within the framework of the World Cup, BNT also broadcasts clips of the Bulgarian Football Union – EfBet League [and] Mr Bit Second League. It also broadcasts Betano in its capacity as an official sponsor of the World Cup, a contractual partner of FIFA. There is no call for gambling in them! Gambling organisers licensed under the Gambling Act are entitled to sponsor events supporting sports, culture, health care, education and social work, subject to the limitations of the law.”
The child-focused National Children’s Network coalition pushed back, calling on the Speaker of the National Assembly and parliamentary group chairs to tighten the rules further, including a ban on gambling product placement and on betting brands appearing in the names of sports competitions. The group wrote:
“Sports inspire. It teaches perseverance, discipline, respect for the opponent and teamwork. Gambling has no place in this message to children.”
Regulatory leadership in question at the NRA
Bulgaria’s gambling regulator, the National Revenue Agency (NRA), parted ways with its Director of Gambling Policy, Alexander Popov, on 18 June. The search for his replacement has drawn its own controversy. Vladislav Panev, an MP from the Democratic Bulgaria party, alleged that Ginka Panaretova, a lawyer who previously worked for Bulgarian gambling firm Inbet, is being lined up for the role. Media outlet Mediapool later reported Panaretova’s ties to Inbet, citing two independent sources.
The NRA did not confirm the appointment:
“The main emphasis in the work of the National Revenue Agency is the high collection of taxes, insurance and public obligations, the fight against corruption and the shadow economy. The Executive Director of the NRA has the opportunity to choose the team with which to achieve the goals set for the Agency by the Government of the Republic of Bulgaria. At the moment, there are no changes in the management team in the National Revenue Agency. If there are such changes, the public will be informed in a timely manner.”
Bulgarian national held in Romania bribery probe
Bulgaria’s gambling sector has also surfaced in a separate corruption case in neighbouring Romania. Romania’s National Anti-Corruption Directorate (DNA) opened an investigation in June that led to the detention of a Bulgarian national and Odeta Kristanela Nestor, former president of Romania’s National Gambling Authority (ONJN) between 2013 and 2017 and now director of the Association of Remote Gambling Operators. Bucharest judges approved 30-day custody orders for both.
Prosecutors allege Nestor arranged a €100,000 bribe for an ONJN official on 7 April 2026, delivered by the Bulgarian national on behalf of an unnamed gambling company to cover up money-laundering violations. Romanian media have suggested the operator involved could be Bulgarian.
The budget still needs a final vote in the National Assembly, and the NRA has yet to confirm who will take over gambling policy. The DNA investigation in Romania is ongoing, with both detainees held for 30 days while prosecutors build their case.
Source: Council of Ministers of Bulgaria
