The Bulgarian Supreme Administrative Court (SAC) recently made a significant ruling, revoking a €168 million claim against Eurofootball, a case initiated by the State Gambling Commission (SGC) last February. While the SAC didn’t rule on the legitimacy of the amount owed, it declared the claim invalid due to procedural irregularities, marking a legal victory for Eurofootball.
Key Points:
Legal Illogicality and Incompetence: The SAC emphasized the legal illogicality and incompetence in allowing the same authority, in this case, the SGC, to issue the decision and adjudicate when challenged in administrative proceedings. The ruling questioned the procedural fairness and competence of the public authority.
SAC’s Role: The SAC clarified that its decision focused on the procedural aspects of the case, avoiding a direct ruling on the validity of the €168 million claim against Eurofootball. The court’s role was to address the irregularities in the issuance and handling of the claim by the SGC.
Background of the Case: The legal dispute originated a year and a half ago when the Sofia City Administrative Court declared that Eurofootball owed the exchequer BGN 329 million in unpaid state gambling fees for the preceding five years. The recent SAC ruling challenges the legitimacy of the claim on procedural grounds.
Vassil Bojkov’s Involvement:
Former Owner’s Legal Troubles: The case is intertwined with the broader legal troubles of Vassil Bojkov, the former owner of Eurofootball. Bojkov’s gambling empire faced dismantlement in 2020 following the Bulgarian authorities’ prohibition of private lotteries. He was subsequently charged with evading over BGN 700 million in gambling license fees, money laundering, and various other serious offenses.
Corruption Allegations: Bojkov alleged that he was coerced into paying former Prime Minister Boyko Borissov and Finance Minister Vladislav Goranov 20% of his business in extortion fees. These corruption allegations added a layer of complexity to the legal proceedings.
Political Fallout: The case has political implications, with Bojkov’s accusations implicating high-ranking officials. Former Prime Minister Borissov and Finance Minister Goranov faced arrest but were later released after a court deemed their detention unlawful.
The SAC’s decision to revoke the €168 million gambling fee claim against Eurofootball sheds light on procedural irregularities and questions the competence of the State Gambling Commission. While not addressing the actual amount owed, the ruling provides legal clarity and emphasizes the importance of procedural fairness in such high-stakes cases. The interconnected narrative involving Vassil Bojkov adds a layer of intrigue, revealing the complex legal and political dynamics surrounding the Bulgarian gambling industry.