New Sport Crime Legislation

Until August 2011 the Bulgarian criminal law had not covered bribes or other unlawful means of influencing the course or outcome of sport competitions. But the new sport crime legislation foresees punishments of up to 10 years imprisonment and up to a EUR 15,000 fine, depending on the gravity of the offence.

For the first time, from 8 August 2011, a set of sport offences have been established under the criminal law of Bulgaria. Their aim is to criminalise sport fixing in Bulgaria. The new law is intended to counter the increasing number of cases reported in the media of alleged agreements by which a match or race has a completely or partially pre-determined result.

Four groups