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A psychologist from Bulgaria has raised the alarm about how gambling ads are still reaching young people, even after new rules were put in place to stop it. These warnings come as the country takes steps to limit gambling promotion in order to protect underage viewers.
The expert said that gambling ads especially those offering free bonuses or fast money, can mislead children into thinking betting is fun, easy, and safe.
New Rules to Control Gambling Ads in Bulgaria
Since May 2024, Bulgaria has passed tough rules to stop gambling ads from spreading too far. The government banned all gambling ads on TV, radio, newspapers, and websites.
Now, gambling ads can only be shown:
- Inside licensed places where only adults are allowed
- On sports gear or stadium banners
- With clear health warnings (10% of the space must mention gambling risks)
If companies break these rules, they face fines up to €25,000, and media outlets can be fined up to €15,000 for running banned ads.
Psychologist: Children Still See Gambling Ads
Even with these changes, a psychologist speaking to Capital magazine said that gambling ads are still influencing minors. She pointed to social media algorithms as a key reason, explaining that platforms often show promotional content to young viewers, even when it’s not meant for them.
The expert added that offers like free spins, cashbacks, and bonuses can make gambling look harmless or even exciting to kids. And because these messages often appear during sports events, children may not even realize they are watching gambling promotions.
“Children think gambling is easy, fun, and a way to get rich fast,” the psychologist said. “But they don’t understand the dangers or how addiction starts.”
Research Shows Alarming Trends
Recent studies in Bulgaria focused on adolescents aged 11 to 16 show that many kids remember gambling brands and slogans clearly. In fact, they can recall specific logos, offers, and ad styles after seeing them just once, especially during online videos or games.
This ability to recall brand details, even at a young age, proves how powerful gambling ads can be when seen repeatedly over time.
What Can Be Done to Help?
Experts believe more action is needed to protect young people. Here are three key suggestions from specialists:
- Stronger enforcement of ad bans across all platforms
- Health warnings in every type of gambling promotion
- Independent monitoring of where and how ads appear online
These steps, they say, can help limit the unintended reach of gambling ads and reduce the risk of addiction among young people.
Also Read: Banks Fined $18.3M In Singapore AML Crackdown
