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A fresh proposal to raise the legal gambling age has been formally opposed by the Bulgarian gambling industry. The country now allows 18-year-olds to wager, but an ITN party draft bill would increase the age limit to 21. In a swift response, industry leaders referred to the idea as “unconstitutional” and a threat to the legal profession. They argue that rather than providing answers, treating legal adults like children will cause additional issues.
A Rights Dispute
Four major trade bodies, including the Bulgarian Gaming Association, co-signed a letter to the National Assembly this week. Their main argument is simple: if an 18-year-old is mature enough to vote, they are mature enough to decide how to spend their money. The associations claim the ITN party is pushing a discriminatory rule that ignores the basic rights of young adults. They believe that singling out gambling while allowing 18-year-olds to marry or buy property is legally inconsistent.
Risks of the “Black Market”
The industry also warns that a higher age limit will fail to stop young players from gambling. Instead, they argue it will push 19- and 20-year-olds toward unregulated offshore websites. These “black market” sites offer zero protection for players and pay no taxes to Bulgaria. The state might lose millions of dollars if this age bracket is excluded from the legal market, leaving young people vulnerable to fraudulent operators.
Fact-Checking the Bill
Trade leaders were also quick to point out factual errors in the ITN proposal. According to reports, the measure, for example, makes reference to a regulatory agency that was dissolved in 2020. As a result, many have called the endeavor “blind” and lacking in investigation. The notion that this is a typical European trend was also resisted by the industry. Although certain nations, such as the Netherlands, have higher restrictions, 18 is still the norm throughout the majority of the EU.
Preserving the Status Quo
The current Gambling Act already includes a national self-exclusion registry and strict player protections. According to the business, these current resources are sufficient to protect youth. They contend that rather than enacting new, broad prohibitions, the emphasis should be on improving enforcement. The industry is urging MPs to reject the plan before it hurts the home economy as it moves forward for its first reading.
Source: National Assembly of Bulgaria
