Bulgarian Supreme Court orders online casino to compensate gambling addict

The Bulgarian Supreme Court of Cassation has issued a final ruling ordering an online casino to compensate a man for gambling losses incurred after he was unlawfully permitted to play. The individual, who had voluntarily registered in the National Revenue Agency’s register of gambling addicts, lost 8,593.10 BGN over a 12-day period in February 2023.

The court ruled that the operator failed to fulfill its legal obligation to check the register before allowing bets. The casino argued it had not received a specific notification from the National Revenue Agency, but the court rejected this, stating that the operator has direct access to the electronic inspection service and is responsible for conducting its own checks.

The total compensation includes approximately 10,000 BGN to cover the financial losses and interest, as well as damages for non-pecuniary harm. The case highlights the legal responsibilities of gambling operators under the 2020 amendments to the Bulgarian Gambling Act, which mandate the exclusion of registered addicts from both physical and virtual gaming venues.