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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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The UAE Lottery, the country’s first and only regulated lottery, proudly marks its first anniversary this November, celebrating a year defined by life-changing wins and unforgettable moments for thousands of participants across the UAE, alongside exceptional business growth.

Over the past year, The UAE Lottery has become a major source of excitement and anticipation for players from all walks of life. To date, it has crowned five millionaires, awarded 233 winners of AED 100,000 through Lucky Day, Lucky Chance, and Scratch Card games, and celebrated a historic AED 100 million Grand Prize, one of the largest lottery payouts in the UAE and broader MENA region.

Altogether, over 100,000 players have claimed prizes valued at more than AED 147 million, underscoring the platform’s impact and widespread national participation.

Scott Burton, Commercial Gaming Director at The UAE Lottery, said: “Our first year proved just how exciting and rewarding The UAE Lottery can be, with unforgettable wins and incredible stories from players across the UAE. The trust, enthusiasm, and remarkable moments we’ve witnessed define the experience we’re proud to offer today.”

Throughout its inaugural year, The UAE Lottery expanded its portfolio to offer players more choices than ever before. The platform now features over 20 gaming experiences, including the flagship Lucky Day Draw, popular daily games such as Pick 3, Pick 4, and Color Prediction, along with a wide selection of scratch cards and E-instant games, some of which have entry points starting from just AED 1. Scratch cards alone have already awarded five top prizes of AED 1 million, offering players both joy and transformative opportunities.

As The UAE Lottery kicks off its second year, players can look forward to new game launches, enhanced digital features, and refreshed prize structures that bring added engagement and accessibility to every experience. These developments will build on the platform’s commitment to fairness, safety, and innovation while strengthening its role as a trusted source of entertainment across the UAE.

The post A Year of Life-Changing Wins: The UAE Lottery Turns One appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Brightstar Lottery PLC announced that it has signed a contract with Pan Malaysian Pools SDN BHD (PMP), a licensed numbers forecast operator in Malaysia, to supply and deliver 1200 Retailer Pro S2 terminals as part of PMP’s ongoing quest to upgrade its business infrastructure. The Retailer Pro S2 offers high performance, reliability and a variety of options and peripherals to meet the current and future needs of lotteries and retailers.

“Deploying Brightstar’s Retailer Pro S2 terminals will provide several added benefits for PMP, our retailers, and players. The many components of this sophisticated terminal will support PMP in our efforts to offer modern experiences for our players, reliable solutions for retailers, and enhance productivity and profitability in our business that continuously funds The Community Chest, which establishes and develops schools throughout Malaysia,” said Tan Kong Han, PMP Managing Director.

“Brightstar’s Retailer Pro S2 represents the next-generation evolution of our industry-leading Retailer Pro terminal, now more compact, powerful, and flexible. Designed for dynamic retail environments like those in Malaysia, the S2 redefines player engagement by offering a range of interactive options that elevate the experience for PMP’s players,” said Marco Tasso, Brightstar Chief Operating Officer International and Italy Operations.

Engineered for speed and reliability, the Retailer Pro S2 features a 15.6″ full HD clerk-facing touchscreen and is powered by a high-performance processor that ensures rapid transaction processing. Its ergonomic, modular design supports multiple player-facing displays and a broad range of peripherals – including barcode scanners, fingerprint readers, NFC technology and webcams – enabling flexible and engaging player interactions. This next-generation terminal reflects Brightstar’s commitment to innovation and operational excellence across diverse retail environments.

Brightstar serves nearly 90 lottery customers and their players on six continents. It is the primary technology provider to 26 of the 46 lottery jurisdictions in the US and eight of the world’s 10 largest lotteries.

The post Brightstar Lottery Signs Contract with Pan Malaysian Pools appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.