Top Online Casinos in Bulgaria in 2024

Operating in a liberal gambling landscape, online casinos in Bulgaria attract players with enticing games and bonuses. The transparent gambling regulation allows both domestic and European casino operators to penetrate the market, resulting in a competitive and fair gambling environment. Read on to learn more about legal casino gambling in Bulgaria and how players can reap the benefits of gambling without overly restrictive measures.

Open market for EU and EEA casino operators

Many casinos accept EasyPay and ePay.bg

Attractive bonuses and promotions for Bulgarian players

Author

Barb

Editor

Emre

Last Updated

12/12/24

Read Time

12 mins

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With our deep understanding of the sector from direct access to the latest insights, we are able to provide accurate, relevant, and unbiased content that our readers can rely on. Our editorial team follows a strict policy and guidelines and are dedicated to ensuring every article is backed by thorough research and prepared with integrity, helping you make informed decisions with confidence as a result.

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Table of contents

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Understanding Online Gambling Landscape in Bulgaria

Bulgaria has a rich gambling tradition. Card games, such as Tablanet and Belen, have been enjoyed for decades, while Dama, a game similar to checkers, has been played in the country for centuries.

Unfortunately, legal gambling is a relatively recent phenomenon in Bulgaria, as until 1991, gambling was banned in the country. However, the fall of the Soviet Union put in motion comprehensive changes. It prompted the development of Bulgaria’s legal gambling scene, which culminated with the legalisation of online gambling in 2012 with the Gambling Act.

These days, all forms of gambling are legal in the country. In addition to online gambling sites, players can legally play at land-based casinos, retail and online sportsbooks, and lotteries. Moreover, the numbers and stats unequivocally point to a constant increase in the popularity of online gambling.

According to Statista’s data on online casinos in Bulgaria, online casino revenue will reach $50.87 million in 2024 and increase by 5.25% annually, resulting in a market volume of $65.70 million by 2029. Similarly, the number of online casino players is expected to reach 237,400 by 2029, with online gambler revenue averaging $249.70. With the legal framework aligning with international standards, online gambling is expected to continue its steady growth in Bulgaria.

Key Facts about Bulgaria's Legal Framework

Here’s an overview of key facts regarding the country’s legal framework with regards to online gambling:

Online gambling in Bulgaria is regulated by The Gambling Act, published in State Gazette Issue 26 of 30 March 2012. The Gambling Act has been amended and supplemented several times since.

The State Gambling Commission (SCG), under the Ministry of Finance, was in charge of overseeing all gambling activities in the country until 7 August 2020.

The Bulgarian Parliament voted for regulatory responsibilities to be transferred to the National Revenue Agency (NRA) from 8 August 2020, with the SCG dissolved due to corruption scandals and alleged operational inefficiencies.

Local presence is not required to operate a gambling business in Bulgaria. A gambling operator may have a registered seat in the country, but it can also be run from another EU or EEA member state, or the Swiss Confederation.

The duration of gambling licences can be five or ten years, depending on the type of licence.

Pros and Cons of Playing at Bulgarian Online Casinos

Bulgarian online casinos offer a unique mix of gambling opportunities specifically designed with local players in mind. Nevertheless, as with other countries, gambling online in Bulgaria comes with certain regional challenges. So, if you want to maximise the advantages, consider the drawbacks too.

Pros

Market open to EU, EEA and Swiss Confederation-based operators

Local payment methods like EasyPay and ePay.bg are available

Games from Bulgarian-founded providers (EGT Interactive and CT Gaming)

NRA-licensed online casinos accept Bulgarian Lev (BGN) transactions

Low taxes attract prominent casino brands to Bulgaria

Cons

Not many international casinos offer customer support in Bulgarian

Some bonuses may have geographical restrictions for Bulgaria

International casinos may not offer the Bulgarian Lev as currency

Local banking options are not accepted at all casinos

How We Compare and Choose the Best Bulgaria Online Casinos

By organising regular interactions with gaming industry stalwarts and sponsoring exclusive iGaming events, such as the SiGMA iGathering in Amsterdam, we, at Revpanda, do more than just observe changing regulatory landscapes. Our involvement in the Bulgarian gambling market uniquely positions us to provide you with industry-backed insights, helping you with your choice of online casinos. These are the factors we consider before featuring Bulgarian online casinos.

A happy panda winking and giving a thumbs up, holding a piece of bamboo in front of the Bulgarian flag.

Check Compliance with Bulgarian and EU Laws

For a casino to be featured on our list, it must comply with Bulgarian and EU gambling legislation. Locating transparent and licenced gambling sites is the objective, so we favour casinos with concessions issued by strict EU gambling regulators.

A happy panda holding a magnifying glass with a checkmark and a piece of bamboo. There are thumbs-up icons and stars in the background.

Evaluate Player Protection Measures

Next, we examine the player protection mechanisms a casino employs. Each casino must protect player’s data and be transparent in its terms and conditions, as well as comply with EU standards on consumer protection.

A happy panda sitting in a money bag with a dollar sign, surrounded by gold coins and a Bitcoin symbol. Stars are in the background.

Determine the Availability of Local Payment Methods

To ensure that Bulgarian gamblers enjoy a hassle-free gambling experience, we review the banking options available at each casino. We feature online casinos which facilitate BGN transactions via local payment methods like EasyPay.

A happy panda holding a piece of bamboo, with the Bulgarian flag in the background. There is a speech bubble with a checkmark.

Seek Casinos with Bulgarian Customer Support

A seamless online casino experience is what we strive for, so we shortlist casinos with assistance in your native language. That way, problems are easier to resolve. We also test the communication channels available, featuring casinos with comprehensive live chat, e-mail, and phone support.

Explore Types of Online Casinos in Bulgaria

The Bulgarian online casino scene has comparatively lower taxation and licensing rates than many of its European counterparts. That entices casino operators to enter the market and reduces most of the barriers. So, it is not surprising that this liberal stance has resulted in a lot of gambling site variety. Let’s look at the most popular types of online casinos operating in Bulgaria’s diverse gambling market:

European Casinos

Adhering to strict criteria and licensed by stringent authorities, European casinos are among the safest legal casino options for Bulgarian players.

Live Casinos

Allowing you to feel the thrill of brick-and-mortar casino gambling, the best live casinos in Bulgaria don’t just provide you with top-notch table game action. Live dealer games transport you to classy casinos where you can interact with players and dealers, as well as hear authentic gambling floor chatter and sounds.