LiveScore Bet is preparing to leave the Bulgarian market, with a complete operational shutdown expected by the close of 2025. This strategic withdrawal signals a broader reassessment within the European gambling industry, driven by escalating financial pressures and evolving regulations.
The decision stems directly from significant tax increases announced in the UK’s 2025 Autumn Budget, impacting both remote gaming and general betting duties. LiveScore Malta Limited, the parent company, also cited growing instability within Bulgaria’s regulatory framework, specifically the looming threat of further tax hikes designed to address the nation’s budget shortfall.
By streamlining its international presence, LiveScore aims to bolster its long-term resilience and maintain operational flexibility. This allows the company to concentrate resources where they can be most effectively deployed in a rapidly changing landscape.
Bulgaria is bracing for substantial tax increases of its own, with a 40% tax rate slated for online casinos beginning in April 2026, followed by a hike in sports betting taxes the following year. These changes are prompting a wave of strategic responses from operators across the region.
Some companies are actively exploring the sale of valuable assets – customer databases, established brands, and even entire business units – to mitigate risk. Others are adopting a cautious, wait-and-see approach, carefully monitoring the situation before committing to major changes.
Industry leaders have voiced serious concerns about the potential consequences of these tax increases, particularly regarding employment and responsible gambling initiatives. The changes represent a significant blow to the sector and its workforce.
Evoke Plc has initiated a comprehensive review of its future direction, acknowledging the mounting pressures within the UK gambling sector. Combined with planned retail closures by a key brand, the tax increases present substantial challenges for the company and the industry as a whole.
The ripple effects of these decisions are being felt throughout the industry, forcing companies to adapt and reassess their strategies in a climate of increasing uncertainty and financial strain.
