LiveScore Group has announced that it will withdraw its LiveScore Bet sports betting brand from the Bulgarian market before the end of 2025 as part of its “strategic mitigation” after the recent rise in UK gambling tax.
In a short statement, LiveScore said the brand would “formally cease” operations in Bulgaria by the end of 2025. It is now in the process of contacting customers in the country to inform them of the next steps.
Detailing the decision, LiveScore said the move was primarily linked with higher gambling tax in the UK. In November, it was confirmed UK-licensed operators will face higher remote gaming duty and a new general betting duty.
Remote gaming duty will increase from 21% to 40%, with effect from the start of the next financial year in April 2026. Meanwhile, the new general betting duty for remote betting will also be in place by April 2027 at 25%, up from 15%. However, this only covers online betting profit and excludes self-service betting terminals, spread betting, pool bets and horse racing bets.
“The decision is a strategic mitigation following the UK government’s 2025 autumn budget, which saw significant increases to both remote gaming duty and general betting duty,” the operator said.
‘Uncertainty’ over potential gambling tax hike in Bulgaria
LiveScore also made reference to potentially similar changes in the Bulgarian market. The country’s government has provisionally discussed increasing gambling tax to help reduce the national budget deficit.
This “uncertainty”, LiveScore said, also factored into its decision to exit the country.
“Refocusing of resources ensures LiveScore Group remains robust and agile for the future,” it said. “All impacted people have been informed and are subject to a confidential consultation process. An exercise is now under way to inform all LiveScore Bet customers in Bulgaria.”
Could other countries follow the UK in raising tax?
Unsurprisingly, the news of increased tax in the UK was met with widespread criticism from the gambling industry.
Betting and Gaming Council CEO Grainne Hurst said the new, “excessive” online tax rates will undermine jobs, investment and growth. Meanwhile, Evoke CEO Per Widerström said higher taxes are “highly damaging” for the UK economy and players.
Stella David, CEO of Entain, raised similar concerns, saying the increases will pose risks to the industry. Flutter UK and Ireland CEO Kevin Harrington was also among the voices of concern over the planned changes.
However, these concerns did not deter AB Trav och Galopp (ATG) CEO Hasse Lord Skarplöth from pitching a similar route for Sweden’s market. Skarplöth said Sweden should follow the UK in increasing the amount of tax that licensed online operators pay, while excluding horse racing from the tax hike.
Gustaf Hoffstedt, secretary general of the Sweden Trade Association for Online Gambling, blasted the idea. He said the proposal would “self-harm” the country’s market and lead to further growth within what he described as “one of Europe’s largest black markets”.
The LiveScore Bet brand will exit Bulgaria before the end of 2025.