In an embarrassing public failure, Bulgaria’s state lottery operator drew a number that doesn’t exist in its own game format — and it’s cost the entire management team their jobs.
Much like lotteries in the US, the drawing for the “5 out of 35” lottery is aired live on TV, and this is where the mistake happened as startled viewers looked on. As the name implies, numbers are supposed to range from 1 to 35. But during this draw, ball number 41 was pulled. The draw was voided on-air and re-run with a corrected set of balls.
В играта 5 от 35 се тегли числото… 41 ?!?
Празни чували с бюлетини, пълни протоколи.
Винаги в полза на Пеевски и Борисов.
Когато мафията си играе с математиката – и тотото, и изборите стават просто декор.#ТотоРепублика #ПеевскиБорисов #ИзбориПоСценарий #ЦиркБезКрай pic.twitter.com/9Iva76O2HZ— Venko Sabrutev (@venko_sabrutev) March 23, 2025
Bulgarian Lottery Team Fired After Invalid Draw
The error triggered swift fallout. Sports Minister Ivan Peshev fired the executive director of the Bulgarian Sports Totalizator (BST), Georgi Tarlekov. The rest of the management board was also removed the day following the draw. Peshev said the issue pointed to deeper problems with oversight and internal controls.
BST blamed the mistake on human error — specifically, using the wrong set of balls in the machine. It issued a public apology, calling it a technical issue that sometimes happens during live broadcasts. That explanation didn’t do much to calm the reaction. When the public sees a rigged or broken system, even by accident, it damages trust.
Official Investigation Launched Into Bulgarian Lottery
The Bulgarian government didn’t stop at the firings. Multiple agencies are now conducting a full review of the lottery’s operations:
- National Revenue Agency
- Prosecutor’s Office
- Ministry of Interior
- State Financial Inspection Agency
The investigation is looking at whether procedures were followed, if proper oversight existed, and how a ball outside the valid range even ended up in the draw. Regulators will also review BST’s equipment handling, quality checks, and draw protocols.
Could Criminal Charges Happen in Bulgarian Lotto Scandal?
The Bulgarian Sports Totalizator is state-run and widely used by citizens, making this more than just a live TV blunder. A live draw showing a number that shouldn’t exist raises questions about integrity, not just competence. It also puts financial oversight in the spotlight, since BST profits feed back into public funding.
So far, there’s been no mention of criminal charges. But with multiple government agencies now involved, the consequences could go beyond job losses. At the very least, BST will need to overhaul its draw procedures and restore public confidence in the fairness of its games.
London based reporter covering all aspects of the global regulated and unregulated land-based and online gambling industry - including business news, sports-betting, casinos, poker & regulation