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