the Bulgarian Football Union (BFU) is set to propose a statutory amendment that would impose a comprehensive ban on all forms of sports betting among football players, coaches, and club staff throughout Bulgaria. This amendment will be introduced during the BFU’s upcoming plenary meeting in Sofia, scheduled for March 20, and is aimed at preserving the integrity of the sport within the country.
The proposed amendment, spearheaded by BFU General Director Andrey Petrov and President Georgi Ivanov, aims to transition current disciplinary measures related to football betting into binding federation law. This move introduces an explicit prohibition on football-related wagering for all personnel associated with the sport, marking a departure from prior rules that focused more broadly on issues like match-fixing and doping but did not explicitly address sports betting.
Should the amendment pass, football clubs across Bulgaria will be required to implement stringent compliance programs, including educational initiatives and monitoring systems, to ensure adherence to the ban and to prevent any involvement in sports betting by their staff and players.
This initiative follows a series of enforcement actions over recent years targeting improper betting practices in Bulgarian football. Notably, in September 2025, a collaborative effort between the BFU and state agencies led to the sanctioning of numerous players and coaches found guilty of wagering on matches during the 2024/25 season. These actions were part of a broader effort to combat match-fixing, a growing concern that prompted increased cooperation between the BFU, the National Revenue Agency, and law enforcement.
The BFU’s latest move is part of Bulgaria’s broader strategy to tighten gambling regulations, which includes measures like last year’s extension of the self-exclusion period to one year by the Bulgarian National Revenue Agency. These efforts aim to foster a more sustainable and transparent gaming environment in the country.
In addition to the betting ban, the proposed changes will centralize the control of betting and data rights within the BFU. Previously, individual clubs or leagues had the autonomy to negotiate with data providers independently. However, the new statute assigns exclusive commercial, media, and digital rights to the BFU, covering all competitions it organizes. This centralization will affect existing contracts, necessitating revisions, and mandate that any future agreements regarding live data feeds or betting-related content be directly negotiated with the union.
The BFU will also maintain exclusive authority in representing clubs during negotiations and sales of media rights, including those related to betting. The revised statute outlines that BFU regulations will dictate the distribution of revenue generated from central deals, which will likely lead to modifications in revenue-sharing arrangements for broadcasting platforms, betting operators, and sponsors.
This proposal is aligned with international efforts to enhance education and preventive measures against match manipulation. Educational platforms like GameChanger 360, developed by former professional footballer Moses Swaibu—who was implicated in a UK match-fixing case in 2015—are indicative of the growing emphasis on educating athletes about the dangers and signs of betting-related corruption.
Looking forward, the BFU’s proposal is expected to be a subject of significant discussion at the forthcoming plenary meeting. Should it be adopted, the amendment will likely take effect shortly afterward, with clubs needing to quickly adapt to the new regulatory requirements. The industry will keenly observe how these changes are implemented and enforced, as well as their impact on the Bulgarian football landscape and broader efforts to promote integrity in sports.
4.4/5
