Bulgaria’s Government Pushes for Stricter Gambling Laws

The Bulgarian government has stepped up its fight against illegal gambling, which it sees as a big risk to people’s well-being and the country’s safety. At a recent news briefing, officials from the ruling group pointed out the worrying rise in gambling that is not controlled by law. They asked for tougher rules to keep at-risk citizens safe.

Rumen Petkov Warns of Bulgaria’s Illegal Gambling Boom, Calls for EU Action

Rumen Petkov, who plays a crucial role in the BSP-led coalition, says unlicensed gambling websites have exploded in number making legal options in the country look tiny in comparison. The National Revenue Agency (NRA) has released figures showing Bulgaria has given out 46 online gambling licenses and given the green light to 25 legal operators. However, more than 5,000 illegal platforms keep running, ignoring rules and putting users at risk of financial troubles and mental health issues.

Petkov stressed that the main worry is not just how gambling affects the economy, but its effect on society when left unchecked. He noted that young people and unregistered players are at risk, since shady gambling websites do not check ages or have rules to keep gambling safe. He also cautioned that illegal betting leads to corruption, money laundering, and organized crime, creating a cycle that is tough to stop without everyone working together to step in.

The absence of a single European set of rules has made it harder for Bulgaria to tackle the problem well. Petkov slammed the European Union for not setting up a central list of banned gambling websites. He said this would assist national regulators to keep an eye on and close down illegal platforms. He pointed out that not having such a system has let unlawful operators flourish across countries making it much tougher to enforce the law.

Stricter Rules and Public Awareness Are Key to Fighting Bulgaria’s Gambling Crisis

The coalition government has promised to put stricter rules in place and step up tech-based monitoring of online betting in response to the worsening crisis. Petkov said talks have already begun with police and other agencies to come up with better ways to find and block illegal sites. What is more, the government intends to put money into public campaigns to teach people, especially the young, about the dangers of unregulated gambling.

The government’s new push for gambling reform is part of a bigger plan to steady Bulgaria’s political and financial matters. The team-up of BSP, GERB, and ITN parties wants to close the money gap and make state offices stronger. Petkov stated that fighting illegal gambling is key to this plan. He said it is not just about the gamblers – it hurts Bulgaria’s whole financial system.

Even with thousands of illegal gambling websites still open to Bulgarian players, the government is not giving up. The people in charge think that with tougher rules in Bulgaria and more teamwork across Europe, they can crack down under-the-table gambling operations.