TLDR
- The Bulgarian Football Union plans to ban all football players, coaches and club staff from sports betting
- The proposed rule change will be presented at the BFU meeting in Sofia on 20 March
- The move follows sanctions against dozens of players and coaches caught betting during the 2024/25 season
- The BFU will take central control of all betting and data rights for its competitions
- Clubs will need to set up compliance programs including education and monitoring for staff
The Bulgarian Football Union is preparing to formally ban all football personnel from placing sports bets. The proposed statute amendment is scheduled for presentation at the BFU’s plenary meeting on 20 March in Sofia.
The rule change would apply to players, coaches, club officials and other associated persons. It would turn existing disciplinary guidelines into permanent federation law.
BFU general director Andrey Petrov and president Georgi Ivanov will table the amendment. Federation officials have described it as essential for protecting the integrity of the sport.
Previous BFU rules addressed match-fixing and doping but did not include specific clauses targeting sports betting. The updated statute introduces what the federation calls a clear and unequivocal prohibition on betting or gambling activities related to football.
Crackdown Follows 2024/25 Season Sanctions
The push for stricter rules comes after enforcement actions during the 2024/25 season. In September 2025, joint operations by the BFU and state agencies led to sanctions against dozens of players and coaches.
Those individuals were found to have wagered on matches. The sanctions raised serious concerns about match-fixing within Bulgarian football.
The BFU worked alongside the National Revenue Agency and the police during the investigations. That cooperation has continued as the federation moves toward a permanent legislative solution.
Bulgaria has also taken other steps to tighten gambling regulations. Last year, the Bulgarian National Revenue Agency increased the self-exclusion period for gamblers to one year.
If the amendment passes, clubs will be required to implement compliance frameworks. These must include education programs and monitoring systems to ensure staff do not place football-related bets.
BFU Takes Central Control of Betting and Data Rights
The statute also addresses commercial rights tied to betting. It designates betting and data rights as part of the exclusive commercial, media and digital rights held by the BFU for competitions it organises.
Previously, individual clubs or leagues could negotiate their own deals with data providers. Going forward, the BFU will manage these rights centrally.
This control extends to all current and emerging technologies and platforms. Existing contracts with data providers and betting operators will likely need to be revised.
Future agreements for live data feeds or betting-related content must go through the union directly. The BFU has reaffirmed its exclusive role in representing clubs in negotiations and sales of media rights.
BFU-prescribed regulations will govern how revenue from central deals is distributed. Broadcasting platforms, betting operators and sponsors should expect changes to revenue-sharing arrangements.
The proposal also fits within broader international efforts to fight match manipulation. Former professional footballer Moses Swaibu, who was convicted in a UK match-fixing case in 2015, has since developed the GameChanger 360 platform.
That platform trains athletes on the risks and warning signs of manipulation and betting-related corruption. The BFU’s proposed amendment is set for a vote at the 20 March plenary meeting in Sofia.
