Bulgaria’s Gambling Sector Opposes Raising the Legal Age to 21

Plans to increase Bulgaria’s minimum gambling age from 18 to 21 have drawn criticism from licensed operators, who argue that the move raises legal concerns and may negatively affect the regulated sector.

The proposed changes were put forward by There Is Such a People (ITN). Under the draft, individuals under 21 would be barred from gambling, while those between 18 and 20 would be classified as “vulnerable persons” in the Gambling Act. The restrictions would cover casinos and other land-based venues, as well as online services.

Industry Groups Say the Proposal Misses the Mark

Four major trade bodies — the Gambling Industry Association, the Bulgarian Gaming Association, the Bulgarian Association of Gambling Activities and the Coalition of Gambling Providers — have written to members of the National Assembly of Bulgaria urging them to reject the bill at its first reading.

Addressing members of parliament, the industry bodies focus less on ideology and more on what they say is missing from the discussion: numbers. They argue that no public assessment has outlined how the higher age limit could affect state tax collections, employment across licensed businesses, or the behaviour of 18- to 20-year-olds who are currently permitted to participate.

From the industry’s point of view, the conversation has moved ahead before anyone has clearly laid out what the broader economic and social consequences might actually look like.

“Adult at 18” — Except in This Case?

One of the central arguments raised by the industry is straightforward: in Bulgaria, full civil rights begin at 18.

At that age, citizens can vote, sign contracts, get married, run a business, manage property and even own firearms. Operators question how the state can recognise 18-year-olds as fully responsible adults in almost every area of life, yet deny them access to regulated gambling.

They believe this contradiction could clash with the constitutional principle of equal treatment before the law.

Risk of Pushing Players Outside the Regulated Market

Representatives of the licensed sector say the likely outcome may be more complicated than lawmakers expect. If young adults are blocked from legal operators, some will not simply lose interest — they may register on sites based abroad that operate beyond the reach of Bulgarian regulators. In that scenario, players would be outside the country’s consumer protection framework, and the state would see none of the related tax income.

Representatives say there has been no clear explanation of how the government would prevent this shift or why raising the age would necessarily reduce harmful behaviour.

Opponents have drawn attention to what they see as a basic inconsistency in the wording of the bill. It reportedly mentions the old State Gambling Commission as the supervisory authority, even though that body no longer exists and was replaced back in 2020. For industry representatives, this is a sign that the text may have been put together without sufficient review.

Why Young Adults Are at the Center of the Debate

Data from Blask helps explain why the issue has become politically sensitive. Recent statistics show that younger adults make up the bulk of the audience. Those aged 25 to 34 represent 35%, closely followed by the 18–24 group at 30%. Participation becomes less common in older brackets, with 20% aged 35–44 and 15% between 45 and 54.

When it comes to income, the majority fall into lower and middle ranges. About 30% say they earn between BGN 10,000 and BGN 20,000 a year (around €5,100 – €10,200). Roughly 25% report less than BGN 10,000 (about €5,100), while 20% are in the BGN 20,000 – 30,000 bracket (€10,200 – €15,300). Only a smaller share comes from higher income groups.

What Happens Next?

Supporters of the proposal say the goal is simple: reduce risks for young adults and strengthen consumer protection. Critics respond that the current law already draws a clear line between minors and adults and includes responsible gambling measures.

The debate is expected to continue in parliament in the coming weeks. Lawmakers now face a balancing act — weighing public health concerns against constitutional principles and the economic realities of a regulated industry.

For now, one thing is clear: the discussion is no longer just about gambling. It has turned into a broader question about when adulthood truly begins in Bulgaria.

The discussion in Sofia comes shortly after Romania approved similar changes, raising its gambling age to 21 and tightening advertising rules, highlighting a broader regional shift toward stricter oversight of the sector.