Bulgarian Football Federation tightens sports betting rules in revised 2026 statute
The proposed amendment to prevent staff from betting will be presented at the BFU meeting on 20 March.
Bulgarian Football Union
The Bulgarian Football Union (BFU) is poised to introduce a statutory amendment that would impose an absolute ban on sports betting among its football players, coaches and club staff.
Federation officials have described the measure as essential for safeguarding integrity. It is scheduled for presentation at the BFU’s plenary meeting in Sofia on 20 March.
The proposed amendment, to be tabled by BFU general director Andrey Petrov and president Georgi Ivanov, seeks to convert existing disciplinary prohibitions on football-related wagering into permanent federation law.
The updated BFU statute introduces a clear, unequivocal prohibition on participation in betting or gambling activities related to football for all players, coaches, club officials and other associated persons. This represents a shift from previous rules which broadly addressed match-fixing and doping but lacked distinct clauses targeting sports betting.
If approved, clubs will have to implement explicit compliance frameworks encompassing education and monitoring to ensure personnel abstain from football-related wagering.
This legislative drive follows earlier enforcement and investigative actions aimed at tackling improper betting practices within Bulgarian football.
In September 2025, joint operations by the BFU and state agencies resulted in sanctions against dozens of players and coaches found to have wagered on matches during the 2024/25 season. These sanctions raised serious concerns about match-fixing and prompted strengthened cooperation among the BFU, the National Revenue Agency and the police.
The proposed change reflects Bulgaria’s efforts to tighten regulations, leading to more sustainable gaming. Last year the Bulgarian National Revenue Agency (NRA) increased the self-exclusion period to one year.
source: igamingbusiness.com
