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Online casinos in Hungary
Hungary is one of the most stable and regulated gambling markets in Central Europe.
Gambling is officially allowed here, and since 2023 the country has begun the transition from a state monopoly to a partially open market where international online operators can obtain licenses.
Thanks to clear laws, control and the development of the digital economy, Hungary is becoming more and more attractive for investment in iGaming.
Legislative framework
The basis of modern gambling regulation is the law- Act XXXIV of 1991 on the Organization of Gambling (Act XXXIV of 1991),
which has been updated many times since adoption - in 2013, 2017 and 2022.
Main principles of legislation:- gambling is allowed but requires a license;
- activities are regulated by the Ministry of Finance (Pénzügyminisztérium);
- supervision is carried out by the National Tax and Customs Administration (NAV);
- foreign operators can obtain licenses from 2023;
- unlicensed sites are blocked by providers.
Before the 2022 reform, the market was under the monopoly of state-owned companies, but now the system is liberalized - private and foreign companies can work on the same terms as national ones.
Licensing
From January 1, 2023, Hungary has a new licensing system for online gambling.
Previously, only two state operators had permission:- Szerencsejáték Zrt. - national lottery and bookmaker;
- Las Vegas Casino Group is the only licensed online casino chain.
- registration of a legal entity in the EU/EEA;
- availability of capital of at least HUF 1 billion (~ €2.5 million);
- positive activity history for at least 5 years;
- proven reputation of owners;
- implementation of Responsible Gaming;
- connection to the tax and financial control system NAV.
License period: 7 years, renewable.
Foreign operators are required to have a local representative in Hungary and provide a website in Hungarian.
Taxation
The tax system in Hungary is beneficial for licensed operators:Additionally, a corporate tax of 9% is applied - one of the lowest in the EU.
Player winnings are not taxed if they are received at a licensed casino.
Online gambling
Online gambling is officially allowed and is actively developing.
After the 2023 reform, international operators entered the market and received a license from the Hungarian authorities.
Popular brands:- Las Vegas Casino Online (national leader),
- Szerencsejáték. hu (state operator),
- Bet365, Betano, PokerStars, Unibet, 888Casino, LeoVegas, Bwin.
- video slots and roulette;
- poker (including tournaments and live mode);
- blackjack, baccarat;
- live games with dealers;
- sports betting and virtual events.
According to a report by the European Gaming Observatory (2024), the volume of the Hungarian online market exceeded HUF 180 billion (€450 million), which is about 60% of the total gambling turnover in the country.
Land-based casinos
Offline casinos operate on the basis of separate licenses issued by the Ministry of Finance.
There are about 10 large casinos in the country, concentrated in Budapest and resort regions.
The most famous:- Las Vegas Casino Atrium EuroCenter (Budapest) - the largest casino in the country;
- Las Vegas Casino Sofitel Budapest is an upmarket establishment in the heart of the capital;
- Tropicana Casino Budapest is a historic casino on the Danube;
- Casino Win Győr and Casino Sopron are regional gambling centers.
Casinos offer classic games, machines, poker and VIP lounges aimed at tourists and business customers.
Payment methods
The main currency is the Hungarian forint (HUF), but online casinos also accept euros.
Available payment methods:- Visa, MasterCard, Maestro;
- Skrill, Neteller, ecoPayz, Revolut;
- Apple Pay, Google Pay;
- bank transfers via OTP Bank, K&H, Erste Bank;
- cryptocurrencies (BTC, USDT, ETH) - allowed subject to AML.
In 2024, the country introduced the e-Identification Hungary system, which allows you to quickly confirm your identity when registering with an online casino.
Responsible play
Hungary is actively developing the Responsible Gaming system.
Since 2020, there has been a national center for the prevention of gambling addiction -
Nemzeti Játékfüggőség Központ (National Center for Gaming Addiction).
Operators must:- check age (18 +);
- provide self-exclusion functions and deposit limits;
- notify the duration of the game session;
- cooperate with psychological services.
A register of excluded players (Szerencsejáték tiltólista) has also been created, which records persons who voluntarily refused to participate in gambling.
Economic importance
Gambling is an important source of income for Hungary:- total market volume - about €800 million (2024);
- annual tax revenues exceed €150 million;
- more than 6,000 casino, IT and service jobs;
- tourism and hospitality development.
The online gambling segment is one of the fastest growing in the economy, with annual growth of 10-12%, and the participation of foreign operators stimulates digital infrastructure and the fintech industry.
Challenges and challenges
Despite its success, the market faces a number of challenges:- competition between state operators and private companies;
- the need for further liberalization of the online sector;
- tackling unlicensed sites and grey operators;
- strengthening the protection of players in live games.
NAV regularly updates its list of blocked domains and partners with banks to prevent unauthorized transactions.
Development prospects
Hungary is gradually turning into a regional center for iGaming in Central Europe.
It is expected that in the coming years:- the market will be fully open to all EU operators;
- licensing will become easier and digital;
- the use of cryptocurrencies and instant payments will increase;
- national standards for VR and Live games will appear.
Thanks to balanced legislation, low taxes and modern infrastructure, Hungary positions itself as one of the most promising countries in Europe for online casinos and investments in the gaming business.
