The Bulgarian State Commission on Gambling wants stricter regulations for the nation’s gaming operators.

News source Dnevnik reports that the head of the SCG, Kaloyan Krastev, said that a proposed ban on casinos in hotels and near schools is intended to consolidate the market. Krastev said the same goal inspired the requirement that slot arcades have a minimum of 15 gaming positions in towns with populations of 50,000 and under, 30 positions in towns of 50,000-100,000, and 50 positions in major cities.

At the first public meeting of the SCG, Krastev said that the new requirements would force smaller, shadowy gambling locations to clean up their act.

However, some from the operating side of the industry protested, saying that size should not be a reason for driving someone out of business. The same result could be achieved, they argued, through the introduction of investment and solvency requirements. They dismissed the proposed changes as illogical, as operators currently are required to prove the origin of their funding.

The new law could leave Sofia with only one casino, opponents warned.

By GGB Staff

Staff writers for Global Gaming Business magazine. Las Vegas, Nevada.