Industry unites against ITN proposal

Bulgaria’s licensed gambling industry has mounted a coordinated attack on a draft bill that would raise the country’s minimum gambling age from 18 to 21.

The proposal, tabled earlier this month by the populist party There Is Such a People (ITN), seeks to amend the national Gambling Act by redefining 18–20-year-olds as a vulnerable group barred from gambling. The restriction would apply across both land-based venues and online platforms.

ITN argues that shielding young adults from gambling will steer them away from addiction risks and encourage “correct development” during formative years.

Trade bodies call draft unconstitutional

Four major industry organisations have now formally rejected the plan, sending a joint letter to lawmakers in Bulgaria’s 51st National Assembly.

The signatories include:

  • The Gambling Industry Association
  • The Bulgarian Gaming Association
  • The Bulgarian Association of Gambling Activities
  • The Coalition of Gambling Providers

In their statement, the groups insist the bill should be rejected at first reading, branding it:

  • Unconstitutional
  • Economically unsound
  • Socially unjustified
  • Drafted without impact analysis

“Adults must have equal rights”

At the heart of the opposition lies a constitutional argument. The associations maintain that Bulgarian law recognises 18-year-olds as full legal adults, granting them the right to vote, sign contracts, marry, manage property and carry out other civic responsibilities.

“If the constitution considers those who are 18 years of age mature enough to choose who governs the country,” the letter argues, “it is only logical they should also be able to decide whether to participate in gambling.”

They warn that creating an exception solely for gambling would undermine the principle of equality before the law and set a dangerous legislative precedent.

Economic and black market concerns

Beyond constitutional objections, the industry has raised alarms over potential economic fallout.

According to the trade bodies, the draft lacks:

  • A fiscal impact assessment
  • Projections on tax revenue losses
  • Analysis of behavioural shifts among young adults

They argue that restricting legal access for 18–20-year-olds could shrink regulated market revenues and, more critically, drive younger players toward unlicensed offshore operators.

The organisations describe the proposal as a “blind initiative”, accusing ITN of bypassing consultation with industry experts and stakeholders.

Questions over legislative accuracy

The associations also criticised what they called factual inaccuracies in the draft. In particular, they noted that ITN referenced the State Gambling Commission as the sector’s regulator — despite the body having been dissolved in 2020.

They further claim the measure would distance Bulgaria from mainstream European regulatory standards. However, several EU states — including Belgium, Romania, Lithuania and the Netherlands — have already moved to raise their minimum gambling age to 21 in certain segments.

Current framework deemed sufficient

In closing, the letter maintains that Bulgaria’s existing Gambling Act already contains adequate safeguards to protect vulnerable individuals, drawing a clear legal line between minors and adults.

For now, the bill’s future rests with parliament — but the industry has made it clear that it will fight any attempt to redraw that line.

Summary

Bulgaria’s gambling sector has united against ITN’s proposal to raise the legal gambling age to 21, calling the move unconstitutional and economically risky. Trade bodies argue that 18-year-olds are recognised as full adults under Bulgarian law and warn the measure could fuel black market activity while reducing tax revenues. The draft now faces parliamentary scrutiny amid mounting industry pressure.