Balkans

State Lottery in Bulgaria Set for Privatisation

Published

7 months ago

November 28, 2025

state-lottery-in-bulgaria-set-for-privatisation

Reading Time: 2 minutes

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.

Up Next

KSA Issues Warning to 711 BV

Don't Miss

MK Lightning Announces MERKUR Casino Milton Keynes as Platinum Sponsor for 2025/26 Season

Balkans

Kiron Interactive rolls out Fans World Cup with MaxBet Serbia

Published

1 week ago

June 11, 2026

Wladimir P.

kiron-interactive-rolls-out-fans-world-cup-with-maxbet-serbia

The football-themed virtual sports title is built on Kiron’s GOAL Premier engine and adds new betting markets to MaxBet’s Serbia offering.

Kiron Interactive has launched its Fans World Cup virtual football game with MaxBet Serbia, expanding its footprint in the country’s regulated market.

The title is built on Kiron’s GOAL Premier engine and features short-format virtual matches themed around international football. Kiron said the product includes broadcast-style visuals and a range of betting markets.

Steven Spartinos, Co-CEO of Kiron Interactive, said: “Football continues to be the most popular sport across Europe, and Fans World Cup was developed to capture the passion and excitement of the World Cup currently taking place in the USA. We are delighted to see the game launch with MaxBet Serbia, a valued partner that shares our commitment to delivering high quality entertainment . This launch represents another important step in expanding the reach of our proprietary games portfolio across key regulated markets.”

Zeljka Jevic, Virtual Games Manager at MaxBet added: “We are always looking for innovative content that resonates with our players and strengthens our offering. Fans World Cup delivers a fresh take on virtual football, combining high quality visuals and a format that reflects the excitement of the international competition. This launch reinforces our successful partnership with Kiron and our shared commitment to delivering premium entertainment experiences to our players.”

Kiron said Fans World Cup offers football betting markets including full time result, correct score, goalscorers and card outcomes. The supplier framed the MaxBet rollout as part of its wider strategy to grow distribution of proprietary virtual sports content through operator partnerships in regulated markets.

The post Kiron Interactive rolls out Fans World Cup with MaxBet Serbia appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Balkans

EGT Digital signs sponsorship deal with CSKA Sofia

Published

2 weeks ago

June 10, 2026

Wladimir P.

egt-digital-signs-sponsorship-deal-with-cska-sofia

The supplier says the partnership supports the club and aligns with its growing focus on sports betting via its Sportsbook platform.

EGT Digital has signed a sponsorship partnership with Bulgarian football club CSKA Sofia, with the companies positioning the deal as a long-term collaboration.

“Sport has the unique ability to unite communities, inspire future generations, and create opportunities for personal growth,” said Vladimir Dokov, CEO of EGT Digital. “Our partnership with CSKA Sofia reflects our long-term commitment to supporting initiatives that have a meaningful impact. We are proud to stand behind a club with such a rich history and strong dedication to developing talent.”

Vangel Vangelov, CEO of CSKA, said: “Partnering with an internationally recognized brand like EGT Digital is a strategic opportunity that will support CSKA’s continued development and help us achieve our long-term objectives. It is also a testament to the club’s importance in society and its role as a true social phenomenon. We are delighted to welcome EGT Digital as a partner that shares our vision for a sustainable, long-term collaboration in support of such a socially significant sector as sport.”

EGT Digital also tied the sponsorship to its sportsbook business, citing its Sportsbook platform as part of the company’s growing presence in the sports sector. The supplier said the product is designed for operators and offers technology-led features, coverage and customization options.

Financial terms, contract length, and sponsorship asset details were not disclosed.

The post EGT Digital signs sponsorship deal with CSKA Sofia appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Balkans

Strong Customer Response Marks Successful Belgrade Future Gaming 2026 for NOVOMATIC

Published

2 weeks ago

June 5, 2026

Wladimir P.

strong-customer-response-marks-successful-belgrade-future-gaming-2026-for-novomatic

NOVOMATIC concluded a highly successful participation at Belgrade Future Gaming 2026, further reinforcing its strong presence in the Southeast European market. Throughout the exhibition, the company welcomed a steady stream of visitors to its stand, providing an excellent platform for strengthening existing partnerships, establishing new business contacts and discussing future opportunities with customers from across the region.

The comprehensive product showcase featured a broad selection of NOVOMATIC’s latest gaming innovations. Among the highlights were Impera PROLINK 2 and the internationally successful XTENSION LINK series, including Volumes 2, 3, 4 and 5 as well as XTENSION LINK Ultimate, all of which attracted strong interest from visitors thanks to their proven performance and engaging feature mechanics. Visitors also explored VISION LINK, NOVOMATIC’s latest multi-feature linked progressive concept, alongside the versatile GAMINATOR X5, renowned for its flexible game mix and customization options.

A particular highlight for the regional market was the Impera Line HD Edition 10 – Balkan Special, which generated significant interest thanks to its carefully selected game mix tailored specifically to local player preferences.

Taking center stage was the award-winning DIAMOND X QUATTRO 1.55J, whose striking design and immersive player experience made it a standout attraction on the show floor. The portfolio was further complemented by a premium V.I.P. X setup, including the V.I.P. X Royal 1.85 and, for the first time at a Balkan trade show, the V.I.P. X Galaxy 2.65, both showcasing NOVOMATIC’s commitment to delivering high-end gaming experiences for modern casino environments.

As in previous years, NOVOMATIC’s successful cooperation with long-standing partner FAZI contributed to a strong exhibition presence, while the popular ADMIRAL Bet Pub catering concept once again provided a welcoming atmosphere that encouraged networking and business discussions in a relaxed setting.

“The positive response we received throughout the show was truly outstanding. Belgrade Future Gaming remains one of the most important industry events in Southeast Europe and provides an excellent opportunity to engage directly with our customers and partners. We were delighted by the strong interest in our product portfolio, particularly the Impera Line HD Edition 10 – Balkan Special and the first presentation of the V.I.P. X Galaxy 2.65 in the region. The many valuable conversations and promising business opportunities generated during the event once again demonstrated the strength of the Balkan market and the value of close collaboration with our customers. I would like to sincerely thank all visitors, customers, partners, and our dedicated team for contributing to another successful edition of Belgrade Future Gaming,” said Miloš Pejić, Regional Manager SEE at NOVOMATIC.

With a comprehensive portfolio of internationally proven products, regionally tailored solutions and premium gaming innovations, NOVOMATIC once again demonstrated its ability to meet the diverse requirements of the Balkan market. The successful outcome of Belgrade Future Gaming 2026 further highlighted the company’s strong momentum across Southeast Europe and created a solid basis for future growth and collaboration with customers and partners throughout the region.

The post Strong Customer Response Marks Successful Belgrade Future Gaming 2026 for NOVOMATIC appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.