SMS betting comes under the new law as do changes to gambling advertisements rules. New regulations pertaining to a minimum distance between casino locations and public buildings are also included. Opposition to the plans has come from a number of different places already with ISPs and rights groups among those to voice concerns. In the past, legislation like this has also been criticized by associations including the Remote Gambling Association (RGA) and the European Betting and Gaming Association (EGBA). It comes after Serbia implemented similar plans last month and it could mean companies like William Hill, 888 and Betfair all excluded from these two Eastern European countries entirely.
The rate of tax will be set at 17 percent of gross profits and all applications must have five years experience operating in Bulgaria in addition to a land-based or physical presence. Parliamentarians from the ruling GERB party think the new regulations will yield 100 million leva (€50 million) per year to the public budget; something that will be used to fight any effects the recession has.