site.btaUPDATED Ex-Gambling Mogul Bojkov Denies Gambling Fees Default Charges

Businessman Vassil Bojkov, who appeared in the Sofia City Court on Thursday, pleaded not guilty of all charges brought against him.

Bojkov is standing trial for abetting and complicity with State Commission on Gambling (SCG) officials who, according to the prosecution case, connived with him in not charging or not remitting in full fees payable under the Gambling Act, thereby inflicting BGN 559,739,164.70 detriment on the Exhecquer.

Bojkov said that former finance minister Vladislav Goranov introduced him to then SCG Chair Maria Filipova in his office. 

"Everything started with Eurofootball, where I am a partner with the Naydenovs. The business was booming. Stefan Naydenov was taken ill, and his sons took over. Business began to decline, and I was told that money was being stolen and new licences were being obtained. I asked to see them about that, but they denied these allegations," Bojkov pointed out.

Stefan Naydenov and his sons Boyan and Tsvetomir own the Malta-registered Efbet company, which is now considered Bulgaria's largest online betting and casino chain operator. 

Bojkov was indicted after the Naydenov brothers (then already his competitors) alerted the prosecution service at the end of 2019. The Public Financial Inspection Agency found in a series of checks that between early 2014 and late 2019 four of Bojkov's gambling operations underpaid the state gambling operation fee.

Bojkov's lotteries were forced out of business after legislative amendments declared this type of gambling a state monopoly, and his companies' licences were withdrawn.

The Sofia City Court allowed businessman Vassil Bojkov to travel abroad until the next court hearing on June 9. He will thus have the opportunity to be treated abroad.

According to the court, Bojkov's ability to seek medical help abroad should no longer be restricted. Because of the refusals he had received thus far, Bojkov had missed several physical examinations by a medical specialist, it became clear in the courtroom.