Bulgaria’s New Licensing Regime for Gambling Affiliates: NBLO Successfully Obtains Affiliate Licence

Recent amendments to the Bulgarian Gambling Act have introduced a new licensing regime for affiliate operators promoting gambling games in Bulgaria. The amendments expressly designate the promotion of gambling games by affiliate operators as a regulated activity and establish a specific licence for carrying out such activities.

The new regime, introduced under Article 30a of the Bulgarian Gambling Act and in force  from  1 August 2026, requires affiliate operators falling within its scope to obtain a licence from the National Revenue Agency (NRA). The legislation also introduced specific transitional rules for affiliates that already had agreements or arrangements with licensed gambling operators as of the same date.

Against this background, NBLO has successfully assisted an international affiliate operator – Lasserk AB – in obtaining its licence under the newly introduced regime. Our work included the preparation and submission of the licence application and supporting documentation, as well as representation and communication with the NRA throughout the administrative procedure.

The new framework is particularly relevant to international businesses operating websites, mobile applications, social media profiles, video or streaming platforms through which gambling games are promoted in Bulgaria. The licence application must include information concerning the online channels used for the promotion of gambling games, and the licence certificate itself identifies those channels.

The introduction of the licensing regime represents a significant development for the Bulgarian gambling market and creates a new layer of regulatory compliance for affiliate businesses. Affiliates operating in or targeting the Bulgarian market should assess whether their activities fall within the statutory concept of gambling promotion and whether a Bulgarian licence is required. We have covered these issues in depth here. 

NBLO advises clients on a broad range of matters under the Bulgarian Gambling Act, including licensing, regulatory compliance and the practical application of the newly introduced requirements. We remain available to assist gambling operators, affiliate businesses and other market participants with any questions arising in connection with the new regulatory framework and their activities in Bulgaria.