In 2025, the Association of Gaming Industry in Bulgaria (AGIB) positioned itself as a leading voice of the regulated gaming industry – in the legislative debate, in the expert discussion on illegal gambling, and in the broader conversation on the role of the sector in the Bulgarian economy.

In 2025, AGIB took active part in the discussion on legislative initiatives and clearly defended the need for a balanced and technologically feasible regulatory framework. The association offered expert opinion on key projects, including the new regulation on limiting risky behavior in online betting. AGIB emphasized that player protection measures should be based on realistic and sustainable solutions, rather than on formal control.

The organization expressed concern about the proposal for a state gambling monopoly and defined it as economically and legally unfounded, with the risk of distorting the market, pushing consumers towards illegal operators and worsening the investment environment. In parallel, the association maintained its role as an intermediary between the industry and government, insisting on proportionate taxes and fees that do not harm the competitiveness of licensed operators and do limit stimulation of the grey sector.

Key topic from AGIB’s 2025 activities was that of illegal gambling, both at national and European level. AGIB stated that effective consumer protection requires a centralized system for responsible gaming – one that unifies limits and self-exclusion tools at the market level, rather than at the level of individual operators. Without such unified register, responsible gaming measures remain easily passed by through “tourism” between the websites, and create more of an illusion of control than real prevention.

In 2025, AGIB strengthened its presence in the Bulgarian media in active discussions on various topics, such as illegal online gambling and the risk for consumers, the need for a centralized system for responsible gaming and limits, the threat for a state gambling monopoly and its potential effect on the gray sector, the influence of European regulatory trends on the Bulgarian market, Bulgaria’s transition to the eurozone and the impact on the financial and the gaming sector. Through interviews and expert comments in national media, the association established itself as a recognizable speaker on the topics of regulation, illegal market and responsible gaming.

In 2025, AGIB held the Balkan Gaming and Entertainment Expo (BEGE) for the 16th time, along with the Eastern European Gaming Summit (EEGS). BEGE 2025 brought together over 80 international exhibitors from Europe, Asia and North America, showcasing innovations in gaming technology, equipment, fintech solutions and digital marketing, and the BEGE Awards recognized companies and products that contributed the most to the modernization of the sector.

EEGS 2025 brought together speakers from over 20 countries and focused on topics, such as AI in risk management, cybersecurity, consumer protection, and affiliate marketing. Meanwhile AGIB kept on taking part in international forums and monitoring the development of European and global regulatory trends.

In 2025, the association expanded its focus beyond regulatory topics and strengthened its social and educational initiatives. The “Career development” meeting stood out among them – organized jointly with higher education institutions to encourage students who seek professional development in the gaming and technology industry. The traditional annual survey “Voice of the Industry – Expectations and challenges for the gaming sector in Bulgaria” outlined trends in digital transformation, the expansion of the online segment and the fight against the illegal market.

Closely related to these efforts were the activities of the Responsible Gaming Foundation, which carried out a series of initiatives in 2025, supporting responsible gaming behavior, including participation in the European Safer Gambling Week.