The Bulgarian Football Union (BFU) is set to introduce a statutory amendment aimed at enforcing a complete ban on sports betting for its football players, coaches, and club staff. Federation officials assert that this measure is crucial to maintaining the integrity of the sport. The proposal is scheduled for discussion at the BFU’s plenary meeting in Sofia on March 20, 2026.
The amendment will be presented by BFU General Director Andrey Petrov and President Georgi Ivanov. It seeks to transform current disciplinary prohibitions on football-related wagering into a firm rule within the federation’s legal framework. This updated statute distinctly prohibits all players, coaches, club officials, and affiliated persons from engaging in betting or gambling activities that relate to football. Previously, the regulations addressed issues like match-fixing and doping but did not explicitly target sports betting.
Should the amendment receive approval, football clubs will be required to establish compliance protocols, including education and monitoring systems, to ensure that personnel refrain from participating in football-related betting.
This legislative action follows previous enforcement and investigative measures aimed at curbing improper betting practices in Bulgarian football. In September 2025, joint operations conducted by the BFU and state agencies led to sanctions against numerous players and coaches who had placed bets on matches during the 2024/25 season. These actions raised significant concerns regarding match-fixing and prompted enhanced collaboration among the BFU, the National Revenue Agency, and law enforcement agencies.
The proposed changes signify Bulgaria’s initiative to tighten regulations and promote more sustainable gaming practices. In a related development, the Bulgarian National Revenue Agency (NRA) lengthened the self-exclusion period for individuals up to one year.
In addition, the new statute establishes that the BFU will centrally manage betting and data rights, a departure from the past practice where clubs or leagues negotiated directly with data providers. Under the new rules, betting and data rights are classified as exclusive commercial, media, and digital rights under the control of the BFU for the competitions it organizes. This authority encompasses all current and emerging technologies and platforms, necessitating updates to existing contracts. Future agreements regarding live data feeds or betting-related content must be directly discussed with the union.
Furthermore, the BFU reiterated its exclusive authority in negotiating and selling media rights, particularly regarding betting-related opportunities. The regulations set by the BFU will govern revenue distribution from centralized agreements, affecting broadcasting platforms, betting operators, and sponsors, who should anticipate changes to revenue-sharing frameworks.
These proposed measures align with broader international initiatives aimed at enhancing education and prevention strategies related to match manipulation. Former professional footballer Moses Swaibu, convicted in a UK match-fixing scandal in 2015, has developed the GameChanger 360 platform to educate athletes about the risks and warning signs of manipulation and betting-related corruption.
