The gambling industry in Bulgaria has also been affected by the global economic crisis.

This has become clear at the Balkan Gambling Industry Exhibition opened Monday.

Many casinos and gambling halls are facing bankruptcy because of the decreased number of visitors.

“Since the beginning of 2009, we have been witnessing a trend of gambling halls closing down”, Dimitar Terziev, Chair of the State Commission on Gambling, said.

In his words, in the of 2008, 52 licenses ware not resumed, and 39 gambling halls closed down. As to the end of September 2009, another 60 halls discontinued their license even before they expired. One casino was closed, and another one followed its fate on October 1.

Currently, there are 22 casinos, 23 bingo halls, and 975 gambling halls operating in Bulgaria, Terziev said.