Bookmakers in Bulgaria

Checking for a Valid Licence

The National Revenue Agency (NRA) regulates online betting in Bulgaria. Operators must hold a local licence to offer services legally within the country. You should always verify a site’s credentials before signing up to ensure your funds are protected.

• Scroll to the bottom of the bookmaker’s homepage.
• Look for the NRA logo or a specific licence number.
• Cross-reference this number on the NRA’s official register of licensed gambling operators.
• Avoid sites on the NRA “blacklist”, as these are often blocked by local internet service providers.

Payments and Identity Checks

Bulgarian betting sites typically offer a mix of international and local payment methods. You will need to complete “Know Your Customer” (KYC) checks before you can withdraw any winnings. This is a legal requirement to prevent fraud and money laundering.

Common payment options include:

• Debit and credit cards (Visa, Mastercard).
• E-wallets such as Skrill and Neteller.
• Local services like EasyPay and ePay.bg.
• Standard bank transfers.

To verify your account, you must provide a clear copy of your Bulgarian ID card or passport. You may also need a recent utility bill or bank statement to prove your residential address.

Access and Tax Obligations

Some international sites may appear in search results but still block registrations from Bulgarian IP addresses. Always check the “Restricted Countries” section in the terms and conditions before trying to open an account. If you travel abroad, you may find your access restricted even if you have a verified Bulgarian account.

Regarding taxes, winnings from gambling activities at locally licensed operators are generally not subject to personal income tax for the punter. The operators pay a state fee on your behalf. However, if you use unlicensed offshore sites, you may face different reporting requirements or risk having your funds frozen. This is general guidance only; consult a professional for specific tax advice.

Staying Safe and Self-Exclusion

If you feel you are losing control of your betting, Bulgaria provides a national self-exclusion system. You can submit an application to the NRA to be included in the “Register of Vulnerable Persons”.

Once registered:

• Licensed operators are legally barred from allowing you to gamble.
• You can choose a temporary or permanent exclusion period.
• Most sites also offer individual tools like deposit limits and “time-outs” within your account settings.