Bulgarian Football Union Strengthens Sports Betting Policies in 2026 Regulatory Overhaul
The proposed change, spearheaded by BFU general director Andrey Petrov and president Georgi Ivanov, seeks to transform the existing disciplinary restrictions into a permanent legal mandate. The new statute will explicitly forbid players, coaches, and club officials from participating in any betting or gambling activities related to football. This marks a departure from previous policies that primarily addressed issues like match-fixing and doping, without specifically targeting sports betting. Bulgarian Football Union
Once approved, clubs will be responsible for establishing clear compliance protocols, including education programs and monitoring systems, to ensure their staff adhere to the new rules.
This initiative follows a series of enforcement actions taken by the BFU and Bulgarian authorities to crack down on illegal betting practices. In September 2025, coordinated efforts led to sanctions against numerous players and coaches linked to betting on matches during the 2024/25 season. These incidents raised alarms over match-fixing, prompting closer cooperation between the BFU, the National Revenue Agency, and law enforcement agencies.
Bulgaria is also taking steps to regulate the betting industry more effectively. The National Revenue Agency increased the self-exclusion period for problem gamblers to one year last year, reflecting a move toward more responsible gaming practices.
Additionally, the BFU will now centrally manage betting and data rights for its competitions, consolidating control over these assets. The new statute designates betting and data rights as exclusive to the BFU, covering all current and future technologies and platforms. Existing contracts may need revision, and any new agreements involving live data feeds or betting content will have to be negotiated directly with the union.
The BFU is reaffirming its dominant role in the sale and management of media rights, including those related to betting activities. Regulatory adjustments are expected to influence how revenue is distributed among clubs, broadcasters, betting operators, and sponsors, aligning with international efforts to combat match-fixing. Bulgarian Football Union
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As part of these global initiatives, former professional footballer Moses Swaibu has launched the GameChanger 360 platform, which educates athletes about the risks of manipulation and betting-related corruption, highlighting the importance of prevention and awareness in safeguarding the sport’s integrity.
