Bulgaria will require gambling affiliates to hold a national licence and prevent banks and payment providers from processing transactions linked to unauthorised operators from 1 August.
Bulgaria has introduced a licensing regime for gambling affiliates as part of wider measures targeting the marketing and payment infrastructure used by unlicensed operators.
The changes were approved through the 2026 state budget legislation and extend the Gambling Act to cover businesses and individuals promoting gambling in return for performance-based commission.
The definition covers payments linked to results including the number of customers referred, deposits, stakes and winnings.
Advertising, media and technology businesses will not be classified as affiliates where their fees are not linked to customer acquisition or other performance measures.
Affiliate operators must obtain a licence from the National Revenue Agency and may promote only gambling businesses authorised in Bulgaria.
Applicants must disclose every website, mobile application, social media account, video platform and streaming service used to promote gambling.
Foreign affiliates will be required to appoint an authorised representative with an address in Bulgaria who can act on their behalf before government authorities and courts.
Licensed affiliates will pay an annual state fee of €6,000 and a variable charge equal to 10% of performance-linked commission revenue.
The NRA will maintain a public register of licensed affiliates and identify websites used by businesses promoting gambling without authorisation.
Operators will be prohibited from using unlicensed affiliates or paying commission for traffic directed towards gambling businesses without a Bulgarian licence.
Banks, payment institutions and electronic money businesses must also block gambling payments to and from unlicensed operators included on the NRA’s enforcement register.
The restrictions apply where an operator lacks a Bulgarian licence or has been ordered to stop offering gambling through listed websites.
Parliament rejected separate proposals for a broader gambling advertising ban and higher general operator fees during the budget debate.
