Illegal betting platforms are a breeding ground for cybercrime. This was stated by Yavor Kolev, the former head of “Cybersecurity” and a former member of the gambling commission, in an interview with Blitz LIVE. He highlighted an important aspect of the issue of illegal gambling, explaining that when users access illegal platforms, they risk becoming victims of cybercrimes such as extortion, identity theft, and more.
During the conversation, Kolev said that a complete ban on gambling would lead to its illegal development. According to him, such a scenario is possible, as seen in other countries that have implemented similar measures. He believes it is more practical for gambling to be regulated and controlled by the state, with the necessary legislation in place. Thus, anyone who decides to organize gambling activities will be held accountable. When users gamble on illegal platforms, it is a loss both for the budget and for the people.
“When there were no licensed operators in Bulgaria, the country suffered losses of over 1 billion leva annually due to illegal betting,” Kolev added.