A proposed measure to raise Bulgaria’s minimum gambling age from 18 to 21 has sparked a unified response from the nation’s leading industry representatives. They contend that the initiative is fundamentally flawed from a legal standpoint and warn it could inadvertently encourage young adults to seek out unregulated, underground operators instead. Bulgaria Gambling Age
The political party There Is Such a People has put forward amendments to the Gambling Act, aiming to bar anyone under the age of 21 from engaging in both physical and online gambling activities. The party explains that their goal is to foster healthier development among young Bulgarians and shield them from the risks associated with gambling addiction and its accompanying social issues.
“The proposed changes relate to both land-based and online gambling. We believe that this will contribute to the correct development of our young citizens, who will be occupied with activities other than those leading to heightened risks of addiction and negative impact on their lives,” the party stated.
This initiative is scheduled for review during the first reading in Bulgaria’s 51st National Assembly, setting the stage for further debate and analysis.
Meanwhile, four prominent organizations; the Gambling Industry Association, the Bulgarian Gaming Association, the Bulgarian Association of Gambling Activities, and the Coalition of Gambling Providers have publicly voiced their opposition. In a joint statement, they urged lawmakers to dismiss the bill during its initial consideration, criticizing it as unconstitutional and lacking thorough economic and social justification. They also highlighted that the proposal appears to have been drafted without conducting the necessary impact assessments.
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“We insist that the draft not be considered on its merits and that it be rejected at first reading, as it is unconstitutional, economically and socially inexpedient, and was prepared without the necessary impact analysis,” the groups emphasized. The industry bodies also challenged the consistency of the proposal within Bulgaria’s constitutional framework. They pointed out that if the constitution recognizes 18-year-olds as mature enough to participate in national elections and influence societal decisions, then it logically follows that they should also be allowed to decide whether to engage in gambling.
Furthermore, the organizations warned that elevating the minimum age to 21 could have unintended consequences, notably pushing 18 to 20-year-olds toward illicit markets where regulations are absent and protections are minimal.
