Bulgaria’s gambling sector has opposed a draft bill that proposes an increase in the minimum gambling age from 18 to 21.

Earlier this month, populist party ITN presented a draft proposal to amend the Gambling Act in a way that would forbid anyone under the age of 21 from gambling – extending the definition of vulnerable people to also include those aged 18-20.

“The proposed changes relate to both land-based and online gambling,” ITN said. “We believe that this will contribute to the correct development of our young citizens, who will be occupied with activities other than those leading to heightened risks of addiction and negative impact on their lives.”

‘Draft goes against constitution’

Four gambling trade bodies have now come out with an official statement countering the proposal, arguing first and foremost that it goes against the Bulgarian constitution.

The Gambling Industry Association, the Bulgarian Gaming Association, the Bulgarian Association of Gambling Activities, and the Coalition of Gambling Providers, have all co-signed the letter, which is addressed to all policymakers in the 51 National Assembly of Bulgaria.

“We insist that the draft not be considered on its merits and that it be rejected at first reading, as it is unconstitutional, economically and socially inexpedient, and was prepared without the necessary impact analysis,” the organisations wrote.

According to the letter, ITN has breached a core principle of Bulgarian legislature, namely all adults having equal rights – therefore pushing for a discriminatory amendment.

“If the constitution considers those who are 18 years of age to be mature enough to choose who governs the country and have their say on important societal questions, it is then only logical for them to also be able to decide whether or not they participate in gambling.”

Another argument points out that such restrictions do not currently exist anywhere else, including alcohol consumption, contract agreements, property management, marriage certificates, owning and carrying a weapon, and others.

“Introducing an exception only for gambling activities is unjustified, contradicts the principle of equality and creates a dangerous precedent for restricting the rights of adult citizens.”

Lambasting the draft law as a “blind initiative”, the organisations further emphasised the lack of accompanying evidence of the consequences of such a measure, adding that not only will this reduce the tax income fueling various social initiatives, but it would also push young people towards the black market.

”No impact assessment has been presented to take into account how restricting access to gambling for a certain segment of able-bodied citizens will affect the revenues from legal gambling, the social system and the behavior of young people. 

“The legislative initiative is being made “blindly”, without consulting experts and stakeholders, which is contrary to good legislative practices. The introduction of a restriction without empirical justification is unjustified and ineffective.”

Furthermore, the associations criticised ITN for “a lack of basic awareness” when it comes gambling legislature, highlighting that the party had named the State Gambling Commission as a regulatory body when it was in fact disbanded back in 2020.

Calling the draft unprecedented in common European gambling legislature, they also argued that such a measure would isolate Bulgaria from the widely-accepted standards across the Union.

However, the letter failed to recognise that Belgium, Romania, Lithuania and the Netherlands have taken active steps to raise the minimum gambling age to 21.

Still, it concluded: “The current legal framework in the Gambling Act already provides adequate measures to protect vulnerable persons, clearly distinguishing between minors and adults.”