Lawmakers Outline BST Concession Proposal
Bulgarian lawmakers have presented details of a bill that would allow a 15-year concession for the Bulgarian Sports Totalizator (BST). The proposal appears in the Transitional and Final Provisions of the 2026 State Budget Bill and sets out conditions for potential international operators. The plan has prompted political disagreement, including criticism from opposition parties who object to granting a concession to a state monopoly.
Sponsors Defend Requirements
At a news briefing in Parliament, MPs presented the draft amendment published on the National Assembly’s website. The proposal requires the Minister of Youth and Sports to issue a public call for expressions of interest by March 31, 2026 from economic operators wishing to submit investment proposals.
Opposition MP Ivaylo Mirchev described the idea as “exceedingly unacceptable”, because the BST is a market monopolist in Bulgaria. In response, Dragomir Stoynev said that the State will retain ownership of the Totalizator and added:
“We are opening the door only if a major international operator appears, one with the necessary lottery experience, and if the concession fee is at least twice the current amount of BGN 240 million.
Another requirement is that all jobs be preserved. If any of these conditions is not met, we will not move forward”
Yordan Tzonev emphasised restrictions on eligibility, stating that:
“Offshore companies will not be allowed to apply for any type of concession.”
He noted that There Is Such a People “would likely back it,” but the party had requested more time for review.
Government Cites Sector Performance
GERB-UDF MP Delyan Dobrev criticised the opposition’s objections, calling the move “the only right-wing measure in the budget.” He argued that the State has shown over decades that it is not an effective operator and added:
“We have suspicions of lobbying by the opposition in favour of private operators. I cannot understand how allegedly right-wing parties can oppose the concession.”
Sports Minister Ivan Peshev supported the initiative by referencing the Ministry’s ten-month analysis of BST performance. He noted that gambling turnover in Bulgaria totals BGN 44 billion with BGN 2 billion in profits, while the Totalizator generates just BGN 70 million. Peshev explained the rationale by stating:
“This is why, together with colleagues from the Joint Governance Council, we have taken steps to seek opportunities to increase funding for sport, sports infrastructure and youth policy.”
He added that the Government is specifically targeting major lottery operators and said:
“All Totalizator employees should be assured that they will keep their jobs, and staffing will increase at least two-fold. The entire concession fee that is set will go into the budget of the Sports Ministry, and all sports federations will have their budgets doubled.”