New Measure Aims to Strengthen Player Protection
Bulgaria has significantly strengthened its safer gambling framework by extending the minimum self-exclusion period from 30 days to one full year. The National Revenue Agency (NRA), which oversees gambling regulation in the country, confirmed the change took effect on March 27, 2025.
The reform represents one of the most stringent self-exclusion requirements in Europe and forms part of Bulgaria’s broader initiative to enhance player protection measures.
Complex Self-Exclusion Process Raises Concerns
Players seeking to self-exclude must either:
- Email a written request to the NRA
- Visit an NRA office to submit their request via kiosk
Both methods require gamblers to provide comprehensive personal information and an electronic signature, which can cost between £3 and £33 depending on the technology used. Players can pay more for signatures with longer validity periods.
Some industry observers worry the extended timeframe combined with the complex registration process might discourage vulnerable players from utilizing the self-exclusion option.
Strict Enforcement with Severe Penalties
According to the NRA, approximately 54,000 self-exclusion requests are currently active in Bulgaria. Operators face significant consequences for violations:
- First offense: BGN 5,000 (€2,500) fine
- Second offense: BGN 20,000 (€10,200) fine
- Third offense: Potential license revocation
The registry automatically includes individuals receiving social support and those diagnosed with certain mental health conditions.
Part of Broader European Gambling Reforms
Bulgaria’s changes align with a growing European trend toward stricter gambling regulations. Similar reforms have been introduced in:
- Lithuania: Raising the gambling age from 18 to 21 and requiring financial institutions to block transactions from unlicensed operators
- Croatia: Implementing new player protection rules, tightening advertising restrictions, and increasing licensing fees
However, these reforms face potential challenges. The European Court recently deemed Lithuania’s changes unenforceable, ruling the European Commission wasn’t properly notified of the regulatory changes.
Tackling Illegal Gambling
Former Bulgarian interior minister Rumen Petkov has called for a unified European regulatory registry to combat illegal gambling operators, which he describes as “a scourge of modern society.”
“Europe has seen illegal online gambling dominate over legal alternatives in recent years,” Petkov stated. “This leads to frightening outcomes: encroachment on health, finances and well-being of entire families, plus a stream of uncontrolled funds reinvested into political influencing, drug production and human trafficking.”
As Bulgaria implements these stricter self-exclusion requirements, the gambling industry will be watching closely to see if they effectively protect vulnerable players or inadvertently push them toward unregulated options.
Safeguarding Consumer Interests
In a significant regulatory update, the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has unveiled new measures aimed at curbing excessive gambling and ensuring transparency. Starting from 19 December 2025, these rules will impose stricter controls on wagering requirements and prohibit the mixing of bonus offers across different gambling products. This initiative is part of a larger effort to align with the government’s 2023 White Paper on gambling reform, titled ‘High stakes: gambling reform for the digital age.’
Capping the Wagering Requirements
One of the key changes is the introduction of a maximum limit on online bonus wagering requirements, now set at ten times the bonus amount. This means that a £10 bonus cannot be tied to more than £100 in bets before winnings can be withdrawn. The UKGC believes this cap will “decrease the likelihood of harm, reduce complexity and improve transparency,” ensuring that bonuses do not lead to unintended excessive gambling. The decision comes after a consultation period where opinions were divided; while over half supported the cap, others advocated for a total elimination of wagering requirements.
Restricting Bonus Mixing
Furthermore, the new regulations will end the practice of offering bonuses that compel players to gamble across different types of products, such as combining sports betting and casino slots. However, promotions within the same category, like a lottery scratchcard combined with a raffle, will still be permissible. The rationale behind this move is to reduce confusion and the potential for misleading offers that may result in greater gambling expenditure than intended.
Industry Reaction and Adjustments
The response from the gambling industry has been mixed. While many in the sector understand the need for regulation to prevent abuse and fraud, they also express concerns about the potential impact on consumer freedom and market dynamics. The UKGC, however, maintains that these changes are crucial for reducing gambling-related harm and enhancing both fairness and clarity in promotional offers.
Future Implications
In addition to these rules, the UKGC plans to revise the wording in the Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice (LCCP) to clarify the expectations regarding rewards and bonuses. Tim Miller, Executive Director for Research and Policy at the UKGC, emphasized the importance of these updates: “These changes will better protect consumers from gambling harm and give consumers much better clarity on, and certainty of, offers before they decide to sign up.”
As these new regulations take effect, they promise to reshape the landscape of the UK gambling industry, prioritizing consumer protection and responsible gaming practices. The implications for gambling operators are significant, potentially necessitating major adjustments in their marketing strategies to comply with the new standards set forth by the UKGC.
Merkur Slots UK Limited, overseeing more than 200 adult gaming centres (AGCs) across the United Kingdom, has been fined £95,450 by the UK Gambling Commission. This financial penalty was imposed after an investigation into how a customer was managed at a Merkur venue in Stockport, where the patron lost nearly £2,000 over several extended gambling sessions spanning a couple of days.
Details of the Gambling Sessions
The investigation by the Gambling Commission revealed that between November 1 and November 3, 2023, the customer engaged in lengthy gambling sessions with no recorded staff interactions. On November 1, the customer gambled from 1:50 PM to 6:43 PM and resumed the next day at 1:28 PM, continuing until just before 1:00 AM on November 3. These sessions resulted in total losses amounting to £1,981, raising serious concerns about the lack of intervention by the venue’s staff despite clear signs of potential gambling harm.
Regulatory Oversight and Failings
This incident highlights significant shortcomings in Merkur’s implementation of the Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice (LCCP). These regulations mandate that operators must proactively engage with customers showing signs of distress or excessive gambling to minimize risks associated with gambling harms. The failure at the Stockport gaming centre was attributed to a lack of effective training and the proper implementation of established harm-prevention protocols.
Andrew Rhodes, CEO of the Gambling Commission, emphasized the broader implications of the failure, stating, “This case underlines the need for all land-based gambling operators to not only establish but also rigorously enforce policies aimed at protecting consumers.” Rhodes further noted that both online and physical venues must ensure that their staff are equipped and willing to intervene when necessary.
Conclusion and Industry Implications
The fine and the circumstances leading to it serve as a stark reminder to the gambling industry of the critical importance of social responsibility. The Gambling Commission’s action against Merkur underscores the need for continuous vigilance and strict adherence to customer protection standards. It also stresses the importance of training staff adequately to recognize and act upon signs of gambling harm effectively.
This regulatory action is a clear message to all gambling operators about the serious consequences of neglecting their duties under UK law, particularly those designed to safeguard consumers from the potential harms of gambling. As the industry evolves, the commitment to social responsibility remains a paramount concern, with regulators keenly observing and ready to act on any breaches that compromise customer safety.
This week, the European Parliament hosted an important gathering organized by the European Lotteries (EL) to discuss the protection of minors in the digital gambling environment. The event saw EU policymakers, industry experts, and stakeholders converge to discuss the implementation of enhanced digital safeguards aimed at protecting younger audiences.
Key Discussions and Statements
The discussions, held on 5 February 2025, focused on the dual nature of digital technologies—while they offer numerous benefits, they also pose significant risks to minors, including mental health issues and exposure to potentially harmful and addictive content. MEP Tomislav Sokol (EPP, Croatia) emphasized the importance of upcoming EU policies: “The Parliament’s forthcoming report on the protection of minors online is pivotal in shaping strategies that ensure the safety and well-being of our youth in the digital realm.”
Adding to the conversation, MEP Bogdan Zdrojewski (EPP, Poland), Vice-Chair of the Culture and Education Committee, stated, “We are committed to the safety of young people and believe that robust age verification processes and responsible marketing are essential to effectively safeguard our minors.”
Regulatory Focus and Legislative Advances
The event highlighted several key aspects of regulatory measures, particularly emphasizing the role of the Digital Services Act (DSA) in ensuring platform accountability. The upcoming Digital Fairness Act (DFA) is also anticipated to address issues related to deceptive design patterns and addictive digital features. The European Lotteries are advocating for the integration of educational initiatives with technical solutions to better protect minors from gambling-related harms.
Overview of EU Gambling Regulations
The regulatory landscape for gambling within the EU remains diverse, with no centralized legislation overseeing the member states. Each country manages its own regulations, aligning with the general provisions of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), which includes fundamental aspects like responsible gambling, privacy protection, and prevention of underage gambling.
For example, France operates under three regulatory bodies overseeing various forms of gambling, while Germany has implemented stringent laws, including a recent ban on most online betting sites. The Netherlands, on the other hand, has opened up its market to foreign investors following the adoption of the Remote Gambling Bill.
Reflections on National Versus EU-Wide Regulation
The landscape of EU gambling regulation showcases a mix of national autonomy and EU-wide directives. While the freedom for each member state to tailor its gambling laws offers flexibility, it also introduces challenges such as regulatory divergence and potential exposure of citizens to inconsistent protections across borders. This situation displays the complex interplay between national interests and the need for harmonized EU policies in the digital age.
Overview of the New Legislative Measures
The UK government, through the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), is set to introduce transformative gambling legislation aimed at mitigating gambling-related harm. This groundbreaking move will include the implementation of a mandatory gambling levy to finance research, education, and treatment (RET), alongside stringent online betting limits.
Introduction of the Mandatory RET Levy
The DCMS has finalized the design for the RET Levy following recommendations from the Gambling Review’s White Paper. This levy is designed as a statutory requirement, ensuring a consistent flow of £100 million annually. Funds will be allocated to organizations and initiatives dedicated to combating problem gambling. The levy will be assessed as a percentage of the Gross Gambling Yield (GGY), with varying rates depending on the type of gambling activity:
- Online operators and software licenses: 1.1%
- Land-based casinos and betting: 0.5%
- On-course bookmakers, Adult Gaming Centres, and land-based bingo: 0.2%
- Family Entertainment Centres, pool betting, and machine technical licenses: 0.1%
Setting Stake Limits to Safeguard Young Gamblers
In addition to financial measures, the DCMS has introduced stake limits for online slot games. Adults over 25 will face a maximum stake of £5, while young adults aged 18 to 24 will have a limit of £2. These limits are part of a broader strategy to protect vulnerable groups from high-risk gambling behaviors.
Allocation and Management of Levy Funds
The distribution of the levy funds will be managed under a new framework with a significant portion directed towards NHS services. The allocation will be as follows:
- 50% to NHS England and equivalent bodies for comprehensive treatment and recovery programs.
- 30% towards prevention strategies, including public health campaigns and training.
- 20% to UK Research and Innovation for evidence-based research to inform policy and regulation.
Industry and Public Health Perspectives
The transition to a statutory levy has been met with conditional support from the gambling industry, represented by the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC). While backing the levy, the BGC has advocated for a balanced approach that considers the operational costs of land-based operators. Additionally, public health officials and organizations like GambleAware emphasize the need for independent, robust funding mechanisms to address gambling harms effectively.
Conclusion: A Forward-Thinking Approach to Gambling Regulation
The UK’s decision to implement a statutory gambling levy marks a significant shift towards a more controlled and responsible gambling environment. By aligning stake limits with funding for prevention and treatment, the government aims to create a safer gambling landscape, balancing regulatory measures with the freedom to gamble responsibly. This initiative underscores a commitment to public health and the well-being of vulnerable populations, setting a precedent for other nations grappling with similar issues.
