The Government has finally taken a sensible step towards restricting gambling advertising, with most of the provisions being workable, but there are some omissions, Continue the Change (CC) Chair and MP Assen Vassilev said at a news conference in Parliament on Thursday. A day earlier, Prime Minister Rumen Radev announced that a complete ban on gambling advertising was being introduced, with the only exception being the promotion of sports through advertising on sportswear and sports facilities.
Vassilev said that betting outlets had been left out, while a large proportion of advertising space is located on the facades of such outlets. In addition to sports halls and stadiums, there is an exception for advertising on sports facilities, he said, adding that fines had not been increased, although they should be, and that the definition of a trademark should also be expanded. “We will propose that all of this be banned, so that there is a real ban on gambling advertising,” he said.
According to Vassilev, the only measure that has worked in the United States for online gambling has been cooperation with banks and credit card issuers, so that bets can only be placed with licensed online operators.
Commenting on the proposed amendments to the tax laws presented at the Finance Ministry on Tuesday, Vassilev said that raising the threshold for mandatory VAT registration was a sensible measure. It was adopted with the 2024 budget and came into force in 2025, after which it was repealed. “I do not understand why we are not going for the maximum threshold of EUR 85,000, but are setting a threshold of EUR 75,000. I see no logical explanation for not having the maximum possible threshold,” he said.
Regarding the proposed excess profits tax, Vassilev said there was no problem with it. According to him, the problem arises because, if it is imposed consistently, profits disappear. Commenting on excise duties on cars with engine power exceeding 250 kilowatts, he said they would make sense if electric cars were excluded from their scope.
Regarding the planned 100% increase in local taxes over three years, Vassilev said that if tax assessments are increased, tax rates should be reduced. “Let us not forget that increasing tax assessments also affects the waste collection fee,” he added.
The CC leader noted that the regular meeting of the parliamentary Legal Affairs Committee scheduled for Thursday had been cancelled. “As early as September 18, we submitted a bill related to the publication of pardons in the State Gazette, which was supposed to be considered,” he explained. “We will start collecting signatures to hold an extraordinary committee meeting so that the bill can be considered and citizens can find out which persons have been pardoned,” Vassilev said. “We hope that after Ms Iotova and the three graces return from their trip to New York, we will receive this information,” he added.
Assen Vassilev said that Democratic Bulgaria Floor Leader Nadezhda Yordanova had no connection whatsoever with the medical commission at the Ministry of Justice that described the condition of Ognyan Atanasov, known as the “Petrich Escobar”. “Even if the commission says that this person is on his deathbed, if there is a risk that he could sell drugs, he should not be released from prison,” he said.
Opposition Leader Vassilev Highlights Omissions in Gambling Advertising Restrictions 2026 THE NEWS FROM BULGARIA – NEWS AGENCY 2009-2025 2026-09-24 11:26:13
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BULGARIA NEWS – NEWS AGENCY 2009–2026 2026-09-24 11:26:13
