Bulgaria Introduces Mandatory Licensing Regime for Gambling Affiliates
The National Revenue Agency gains regulatory oversight over performance-based marketing partners targeting the Bulgarian market.
Bulgaria has brought gambling affiliates into a dedicated licensing system, empowering the National Revenue Agency (NRA) to regulate entities that generate revenue by directing players to gambling operators.
The regulatory framework took effect on 1 August, requiring existing affiliates operating under performance-based contracts to submit licence applications by 15 August 2026.
The scope of the regime depends on remuneration models: individuals or companies receiving compensation tied to player registrations, deposits, turnover, or other measurable metrics fall within the licensing requirements, whereas traditional fixed-fee advertising arrangements remain exempt.
Five-Year Licences and Fee Architecture
Licences are issued for a five-year duration and apply to domestic and foreign entities alike. Foreign affiliates must designate an authorised representative with a registered address in Bulgaria.
As part of the application process, operators must disclose every digital distribution channelâincluding websites, mobile applications, social media profiles, and streaming channelsâwhich are officially logged within the licence record. The NRA is tasked with processing complete applications within seven days.
Financial obligations under the new framework comprise two primary components:
| Fee Type | Amount | Payment Terms |
| Fixed Annual Fee | âŹ6,000 | Payable annually by 31 March |
| Variable Charge | 10% of commission | Withheld and remitted monthly by the licensed gambling operator |
| Penalty Variable Rate | 20% of commission | Applied if transaction records conceal actual commission totals |
Licensed affiliates are restricted to promoting gambling operators that hold valid Bulgarian licences.
Enforcement and Web Blocking Measures
The updated framework introduces regulatory enforcement tools for non-compliance:
Financial Penalties: Unlicensed affiliate activity or promoting unauthorised operators carries fines ranging between âŹ5,000 and âŹ20,000, with repeated infractions subject to doubled penalties.
Asset Confiscation: Revenue derived from unlicensed affiliate operations is subject to state seizure.
Domain & Channel Blocking: The NRA holds the authority to order telecommunications providers to block websites, applications, and social media channels utilized by unlicensed affiliates within 24 hours of publication.
Existing marketing contracts may remain operational while an application is evaluated, provided the formal licensing filing was initiated prior to the 15 August deadline. General advertising restrictions under the Bulgarian Gambling Act continue to apply alongside the new affiliate requirements.
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