Balkans

State Lottery in Bulgaria Set for Privatisation

Published

4 months ago

November 28, 2025

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.

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Digitain Secures Manufacturer and Importer Licences in Bulgaria

Published

6 days ago

March 25, 2026

Wladimir P.

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Digitain has successfully obtained both Manufacturer and Importer Licences in Bulgaria, marking a significant milestone in its continued expansion across regulated markets.

This dual licensing strengthens Digitain’s position in the Bulgarian market, enabling the delivery of a broader, fully compliant product portfolio to its partners.

With the Manufacturer Licence, Digitain can provide its in-house developed solutions, fully certified and tailored to local market requirements. The Importer Licence further extends this capability, allowing the distribution of certified third-party products and enhancing the overall flexibility of the offering.

Arshak Muradyan, Group Chief Compliance Officer at Digitain, said: “Securing both licences in Bulgaria is an important step in strengthening our presence in regulated markets. It allows us to deliver both our in-house solutions and a wide range of certified third-party products in full compliance with local requirements. This dual capability ensures that our partners can confidently operate and scale in the Bulgarian market with a reliable and fully compliant product offering.”

By securing both licences, Digitain reinforces its commitment to regulatory excellence and partner-focused growth. Operators targeting Bulgaria can now access a comprehensive suite of compliant, high-quality solutions designed for long-term success.

This milestone reflects Digitain’s strategic focus on global expansion, combining local compliance with scalable, future-ready technology.

The post Digitain Secures Manufacturer and Importer Licences in Bulgaria appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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SYNOT Games Announces Strategic Partnership with Admiralbet

Published

3 weeks ago

March 13, 2026

Wladimir P.

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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

Published

4 weeks ago

March 3, 2026

Wladimir P.

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.