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Read Full BioThe Deputy Prime Minister of Bulgaria, Atanas Zafirov, says the country’s upcoming adoption of the Euro will significantly help combat illegal gambling and related money laundering.
Zafirov made the comments at the National Centre for Information and Documentation event. Several senior political and academic figures attended the event, including Deputy Minister of Interior Filip Popov and Council of Rectors chair Milena Temelkova.
Adopting the Euro Can Help Prevent Money Laundering in Bulgaria
According to Zafirov, the country’s plan to join the Eurozone, targeted for January 1, 2026, would provide a breakthrough in the fight against money laundering generated from the gray sector.
The Deputy Prime Minister added that Bulgaria’s membership in the Eurozone will allow it to collaborate more closely on European Union-wide efforts against illegal gambling operations.
The Eurozone’s stricter regulatory framework would also help the country’s regulator target illicit operations.
Bulgaria’s ruling coalition government, which includes Zafirov’s GERB party, has continuously reaffirmed its commitment to Bulgaria joining the Eurozone and implementing the Euro.
However, some political figures, such as President Rumen Radev, and pro-Russian parties, such as Vazrazhdane, have strongly opposed wider assimilation with Europe.
Illegal Gambling Aids Addiction, Crime
Zafirov has spoken multiple times about gambling addiction in Bulgaria and used the event to raise awareness.
He called the problem “one of the most serious challenges of our time”. The minister added that illegal gambling platforms are unregulated and pointed out the lack of regulatory mechanisms to cope with them.
According to recent data, Bulgaria’s list of self-excluded individuals from gambling includes over 40,000 people. However, illegal gambling allows many of these people to continue to gamble, as claimed by a former minister, Rumen Petkov. Last week, Petkov said that 90% of self-excluded individuals continue using unlawful platforms.
Deputy Interior Minister Filip Popov echoed concerns about illegal gambling, which he says creates conditions for drug, gun, and people trafficking.
According to Popov, unlawful gambling funds the entire criminal sector in the country. However, he added that there’s not much law enforcement can do as the platforms’ servers are outside Bulgaria.
The Deputy Interior Minister also highlighted that illegal gambling is aiding addiction and crime among the youth. He called for legislative changes and cybersecurity enhancements.
Bulgaria Banned Most Gambling Advertising in 2024
While lawmakers have voiced concerns about addiction and illegal sites, Bulgaria has made progress in tackling the problems. Last year, it joined a list of European countries, such as Belgium and Italy, that have partially banned gambling advertisements as part of player safety initiatives.
New York Representative Paul Tonko has proposed similar initiatives in the US for the past three years without much success. Meanwhile, two bills recently appeared in New Jersey to regulate gambling ads.
The gambling reforms in Bulgaria, which took effect in May 2024, prohibit gambling companies’ advertising on TV, radio, newspapers, and online. The only exception is the national lottery, which funds various sports organizations. Also, within three years of implementation, no retail casinos can operate in towns of under 10,000 residents.
Exceptions include billboards, as long as they are not within 300 meters (about 1,000 feet) of schools. Advertisements are also allowed on the facades of retail casinos. Moreover, at least 10% of advertising messaging must be warning of the risks of gambling addiction.
Another notable exception is advertising on sports events and teams’ jerseys, given that gambling companies are the most prominent sponsors across most sports in Bulgaria. Industry stakeholders argued that many teams would face financial difficulties without industry funding.
