Bulgaria has amended its national self-exclusion register for gambling, increasing the minimum exclusion period for registered individuals to one year.

The new rules came into effect on March 27, as announced by the National Revenue Agency (NRA), the country’s gambling regulator. The previous policy allowed individuals to self-exclude for only 30 days. With this, the Bulgarian gambling regulator aims to strengthen the protection of individuals vulnerable to gambling-related harm.

The move brings Bulgaria’s regulatory framework in line with some other standards that generally recommend longer exclusion periods to better support those struggling with gambling addiction. According to the NRA, around 54,000 people have already registered for the self-exclusion program. The register remains confidential and is not available to the public. Only a limited number of NRA employees have access to the database, ensuring the privacy of those who register.

The commitment to educating young people and providing early intervention is a key part of the Bulgarian government’s strategy to combat addiction in all its forms. According to current government estimates, around 3% of the Bulgarian citizens suffers from some form of gambling addiction.

All licensed gambling operators in Bulgaria are now required by law to enforce the restrictions imposed by the register, effectively prohibiting listed individuals from gambling.

Participation in the self-exclusion register is voluntary and free of charge. It is open to any Bulgarian citizen who wishes to limit their gambling behaviour for financial, personal or psychological reasons. Operators must report any instances where they are caught trying to circumvent the controls.

Under the new rules, players can choose an exclusion period starting from one year, with the option to request a longer period if necessary.

At the same time, the procedure for exclusion from the register, if a player decides to opt out, has been simplified. Previously, those who self-excluded had to wait two years before they could apply for exclusion.

An amendment last year shortened that waiting period to 30 days. This flexibility allows individuals to reconsider their decision and leave the registry early if they meet the criteria set by regulators.

The broader context of Bulgaria’s efforts to combat gambling addiction includes a variety of regulatory and educational initiatives. In 2024, the government introduced a nationwide ban on gambling advertising, further tightening the country’s approach to gambling regulation.

The NRA is also partnering with the Customs Agency on a nationwide campaign to combat various forms of addiction called “You Are Not Alone.”

Launched in the summer of 2024, the joint campaign is a continuation of years of educational efforts led by Stefan Bakalov, head of the Customs Agency’s Drug Enforcement Unit.

Bakalov has dedicated more than two decades to educating young people about the dangers of substance abuse.

The You Are Not Alone campaign expanded this focus to include gambling addiction, targeting teenagers through a series of school visits and public awareness events.

One of the highlights of the campaign was a large public concert in Nessebar, which attracted over 30,000 participants.

Since November last year, over 5,000 students across Bulgaria have taken part in educational events on drug use and the risks associated with gambling.

These presentations were held in over 50 schools across the country, including in Sofia, and included live demonstrations by trained customs officers and their drug-sniffing dogs. Students were able to watch and even participate in mock drug searches, reinforcing the campaign’s message through interactive learning.

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