Bulgaria: World Cup Opens New Door for Gambling Ads on National TV, Children's Rights Group Protests

A children's rights organization in Bulgaria has voiced strong opposition to the increasing presence of gambling advertisements during broadcasts of national football matches. The "National Network for Children" stated that "Children have the right to watch football without being turned into future customers of the gambling industry."

The group's stance comes as gambling promotions are becoming more visible on public television, coinciding with major sporting events like the World Cup. They argue that the constant exposure to these ads during family-friendly programming is inappropriate and potentially harmful to young viewers.

The network is calling for a more responsible approach to advertising, urging regulators to consider the impact on children and to implement stricter controls on the types of commercials aired during sports broadcasts. Their statement emphasizes the need to protect children from early exposure to gambling, which they see as a growing concern within the national media landscape.

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Children have the right to watch football without being turned into future customers of the gambling industry.