Balkans
State Lottery in Bulgaria Set for Privatisation
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The ruling parliamentary majority in Bulgaria, represented by Kostadin Angelov (GERB), Dragomir Stoynev (BSP), and Yordan Tsonev (DPS-New Beginning), has submitted a proposal to amend the Gambling Act within the transitional and final provisions of the State Budget Law. The submission, sent on November 24 to both the Chairman of the Budget and Finance Committee and the Chairman of the National Assembly, aims to grant a long-term concession for the Bulgarian Sports Totalizator (BST), with the State Budget Law set for a second reading on Thursday, November 28.
The lawmakers argue that despite BST’s monopoly position, its revenues are lower than those of private gambling operators prior to the 2020 legal changes. They cite market analysis showing that the state lottery is not a leading operator in the gambling sector, and suggest that privatisation via concession is necessary to make it competitive. The concession would be overseen by the Minister of Youth and Sports, who would handle both granting and monitoring the contract.
Under the proposed framework, the concession could only be awarded to a Bulgarian-registered legal entity or to a foreign entity with an officially registered business in Bulgaria. A call for expressions of interest is required to be published by March 31, 2026, allowing operators to submit investment proposals. The concession would last at least 15 years, giving the private operator full rights to BST’s betting points, systems, equipment, valuable samples and intellectual property.
Financially, the concessionaire would transfer 10% of its corporate tax payments to the Ministry of Youth and Sports, to fund physical education, sports facilities, and related activities, with 10% of this sum earmarked for the National Culture Fund. Additionally, 30% of the concession fee would be allocated to sports clubs and federations. After the concession, BST would no longer organise gambling games, and any existing tickets, slips or coupons would be invalidated and destroyed.
The proposal has drawn controversy, particularly because the lottery was nationalized and granted monopoly status only a few years ago, following the revocation of licenses for Vasil Bozhkov’s private gambling companies. Proponents argue that the lottery lacks sufficient financial resources and operational know-how to compete with private online operators, pointing to its underperformance against budgeted revenues. In 2023, BST aimed for BGN 190 million (€96.9 million) but achieved BGN 170.034 million (€86.8 million), while the 2024 goal of BGN 188.701 million (€96.3 million) was not reached either, with actual revenues at BGN 182.640 million (€93.2 million).
Critics, including Ivaylo Mirchev of “Yes, Bulgaria” (party of WCC-DB) accuse the concession of being politically motivated, suggesting that it benefits DPS-New Beginning and the network surrounding Delyan Peevski. Mirchev noted that Peevski’s mother, Irena Krasteva, previously served as director of BST from 2002 to 2005, raising concerns about conflicts of interest and favoritism. Proposals for a parliamentary commission to investigate potential misconduct were reportedly blocked by affiliated MPs from GERB.
The move represents a significant restructuring of Bulgaria’s lottery system, transferring a state-controlled monopoly into private hands for a period of at least 15 years, with substantial financial and political implications.
The post State Lottery in Bulgaria Set for Privatisation appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
AdmiralBet
SYNOT Games Announces Strategic Partnership with Admiralbet
SYNOT Games has announced a strategic partnership with Admiralbet, Bulgaria’s foremost casino operator and market leader.
Under the new agreement, Admiralbet will showcase a selected portfolio of SYNOT Games-developed games. Players can enjoy a diverse selection that includes popular titles such as 40 Coins of Chance and 100 Stunning Fruits. The integration of these games into Admiralbet’s offerings promises to redefine gaming standards and deliver an enhanced entertainment experience.
This partnership is a key part of SYNOT Games’ strategic expansion into the Balkan region, a market known for its discerning players who demand cutting-edge iGaming solutions. This new venture with Admiralbet further emphasizes the company’s dedication to delivering unmatched gaming solutions and retention tools that address the evolving needs of today’s iGaming market.
Martina Krajčí, Chief Commercial Officer at SYNOT Games, said: “This collaboration with Admiralbet not only strengthens our market presence in Bulgaria but also opens the door to a new audience of sophisticated gamers seeking innovative, high-quality entertainment. We are committed to driving excellence in the region by providing state-of-the-art gaming experiences that set new benchmarks in the industry.”
Mr. Beleski, General Manager at Admiralbet, said: “Our collaboration with SYNOT Games represents a strategic enhancement of our casino offering. By integrating their high-quality and engaging titles, we continue our commitment to delivering a superior and diversified gaming experience that meets the expectations of Bulgarian players and reinforces our position as a trusted leader in the market.”
The post SYNOT Games Announces Strategic Partnership with Admiralbet appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
AdmiralBet Serbia
Digitain Enters into Multi-Vector Collaboration with AdmiralBet Serbia
Digitain has entered into a large-scale, multi-vector collaboration with AdmiralBet Serbia, strengthening its presence in the regulated Serbian market.
Under a unified strategic framework, AdmiralBet Serbia will integrate its proprietary Sportsbook alongside live casino content from Imagine Live, fast and crash games from Galaxsys, and aggregation services from Relum. The agreement brings multiple core verticals and brands together within one scalable ecosystem.
Designed for performance and flexibility, the collaboration enables AdmiralBet Serbia to enhance operational efficiency, expand its product portfolio, and drive sustainable growth in a competitive regulated environment.
Ani Mkrtchyan, Chief Sales Officer at Digitain, said: “Our partnership with AdmiralBet Serbia highlights the value of well-structured, multi-vector agreements in driving long-term success. Bringing multiple core capabilities together within a single framework allows our partner to scale effectively while retaining the flexibility needed in a highly regulated and competitive market. We believe this agreement establishes a strong foundation for sustainable growth.”
Stefan Lijeskić, Director of Online Gaming at AdmiralBet Serbia, added: “Partnering with Digitain is a significant step in the evolution of our portfolio. The multi-vector nature of this agreement enables us to advance multiple areas of our operations at once, while maintaining stability and scalability for the future. Digitain’s expertise and technological capabilities make them a reliable partner as we continue to expand in the Serbian market.”
The post Digitain Enters into Multi-Vector Collaboration with AdmiralBet Serbia appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Amusnet
Amusnet Unveils Casino Engineering and Technology Milestones Achieved in 2025
As Amusnet marks ten years of growth and trusted partnerships, the company announced successful completion of major engineering and technology initiatives in 2025. These advancements strengthen its technical infrastructure and enhance operator performance and player engagement.
After a year of focused development, Amusnet has rolled out significant upgrades to its Bonus Platform and Promotional Tools, reinforcing its commitment to delivering scalable, high-impact solutions for the iGaming market.
“These advancements translate directly into value for our partners – faster deployment, deeper player engagement, and greater control over performance-driven campaigns. I would like to sincerely thank our teams for their dedication and expertise in bringing these innovations to life,” said Lazar Agatonovic, CTO of Amusnet.
Redefining the Player Experience: New Bonus Platform & Promotional Tools
Since its release in September, the Bonus Platform has undergone several strategic updates, reinforcing its role as a central tool and providing operators enhanced flexibility through a range of key features. The new Bonus Hub component streamlines the management of Lucky Spins, Cash Bomb Jackpots and Tournaments, while the high-adrenaline Countdown Free Spins feature maximises player retention with unlimited spins for a fixed duration. Finally, enhanced Scoring Flexibility provides finer campaign control by allowing the inclusion or exclusion of Bonus Money bets in player scoring.
Complementing this platform is the official launch of the Amusnet Tournament Tool, which introduces dynamic competitive elements to the casino lobby. New capabilities include Buy-In Tournaments, where players join by a fixed amount, and a Buy-In Progressive Prize Pool that grows dynamically based on contributions. Additionally, the Tournaments Free Spins Prize Type enables the automatic awarding of fixed free spins to participants, streamlining the reward process.
In 2025, Amusnet completed a Client Portal Redesign, delivering a sleek UI/UX overhaul. This upgrade is further strengthened by the massive rollout of 146 specialized VIP game titles, which provide exclusive experiences for high-value players and help operators grow with confidence. With an intuitive interface, improved navigation and a suite of advanced features, the portal offers a comprehensive hub for accessing essential resources, game portfolios, market insights and brand materials.
“Our client portal redesign reflects how we work with our partners every day – by listening, adapting, and delivering solutions that help approximately 2,000 users worldwide grow their casino platforms with confidence. We see ourselves not just as a technology provider, but as a long-term partner invested in our clients’ success,” said Sami Dogmush, Delivery Manager, Casino Engineering and Tech.
The jackpot portfolio also saw major expansions with the official Go-Live of the Golden Coins Link Jackpot and the Cash Bomb Jackpot, both designed to drive engagement through thrilling, multi-tiered winning opportunities. By combining dynamic mechanics with seamless integration, these jackpot offerings reinforce its position as a technology-driven provider, enabling operators to offer more engaging, flexible and scalable gaming solutions that drive both retention and revenue.
These engineering milestones celebrate ten years of success by setting the stage for the future. Amusnet remains dedicated to evolving with passion, delivering the advanced technology and immersive experiences that will define the next era of iGaming.
The post Amusnet Unveils Casino Engineering and Technology Milestones Achieved in 2025 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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