2024-05-07 21:27:45
It is not yet clear when the changes will take effect
The legal team of the presidency is reviewing the adopted amendments to the Gambling Law to come up with an opinion on whether or not to veto them. President Rumen Radev announced this on Monday. He added that
hastily legislation does not always lead to the desired result
With the changes in the law, the deputies banned the advertising of gambling in all media. The ban enters into force 3 days after the promulgation of the new texts in the Law on Gambling. However, it is not yet clear when this will happen, because the president has not signed the decree to promulgate the changes in the “State Gazette”.
The decision to ban gambling advertising came despite claims by media industry organizations and gambling operators that it would lead to a boom in illegal betting. There are similar examples in many countries with extreme restrictions.
The largest employer organization KRIB also spoke out against the ban. Sports federations were also against it, because they will lose serious funding. Before the final vote, 22 opinions were sent to the parliament from various organizations, which reasonedly expressed their concerns and insisted on discussing the changes.
There is an exception for advertising only for the lottery, because it necessarily distributes its winnings to sports and culture. Advertising can also be on billboards located at a distance of no less than 300 meters from schools, kindergartens, universities, on the gambling halls themselves, as well as on sports facilities and equipment, except for children. These advertisements must include a statement that gambling carries a risk of developing addiction and is prohibited for persons under the age of 18.
Illegal gambling advertising will be monitored by the Electronic Media Council. He will hand over the cases to the National Narcotics Agency, which will impose the prescribed sanctions and
will stop and sites where there are ads
And the sanctions are from BGN 30,000 to BGN 50,000 for the operator of gambling games, and for those who publish, broadcast or distribute it – from BGN 10,000 to BGN 30,000. For individuals, the fines are between BGN 5,000. up to BGN 10,000
The deputies decided not to open gambling halls in settlements with less than 10,000 people. This ban takes effect in 3 years. According to data from the Ministry of Finance, 104 gambling halls will be closed with the new requirement. Transfers to online betting accounts by persons under the age of 18 with postal records and vouchers are also prohibited.
Anyone who voluntarily entered the list of gambling addicts and does not have the right to visit gambling halls, can deregister no earlier than one month after inclusion. In addition to the administrative penalty for owners who allow addicts in the halls, license revocation for the third offense is added.
People on welfare will not be allowed to gamble. There will also be a regulation that will determine how long sites can be played and cap losses.