PokerStars Gets Approval for Bulgarian License and Becomes First Authorized Poker Site in Bulgaria

The Bulgarian gambling authority has licensed PokerStars and now the company will offer the first legal poker site in the country.

After officials approved a more reasonable tax system under Bulgarian gambling laws last December, major operators are looking to enter the country’s online gambling market. PokerStars recently announced that the Bulgarian State Gambling Commission has approved its request for a license.

Local gamblers will now be able to legally play online poker in Bulgaria, through a well-known and trusted operator. Company officials said they were willing to show their “commitment to be among the first companies to enter regulated markets when licenses become available.”

First player on the Bulgarian market

In December 2013, the Bulgarian Gambling Reform Bill replaced the country’s former 15% tax on gambling with a EUR 50,000 one-time license fee plus 20% tax on the difference between bets made and paid winnings.

PokerStars became the first licensed poker operator in Bulgaria’s newly regulated online market. Betfair is also looking to take advantage of the tax reduction and apply for a Bulgarian license.

Eric Hollreiser, head of corporate communications for PokerStars, stated: “Bulgaria is full of promise. Poker is extremely popular in the country and recently we have seen some notable results from Bulgarian players including Dimitar Danchev, who won the 2013 PokerStars Caribbean Adventure Main Event for $1,859,000.”