Basic Law: Act XXXIV of 1991 on Gambling Operations, Reforms 2014 and 2022

Act XXXIV of 1991 on Gambling Operations (Gambling Act) remains the regulatory base. It covers ground and remote formats, introduces a licensing system and sets the framework for supervision (today - through the SZTFH/SARA regulator). The online sphere is directly recognized as regulated and applies to services available from Hungary, even if they work from abroad.

Reform 2014: "online casinos - only under land concession," monopoly on online betting

Since November 2014, the right to online casinos has been assigned to land casino concession holders; at the same time, online betting (sports betting) remained the actual monopoly of the state operator Szerencsejáték Zrt. These provisions have become the subject of disputes and cases in the EU Court of Justice (including Unibet C-49/16, Sporting Odds C-3/17).

Turn 2022 → launch of a new model from January 1, 2023

In 2022, the parliament adopted a major amendment to the Gambling Act, liberalizing the remote segment: from January 1, 2023, EEA operators were able to obtain a Hungarian license for online betting if strict conditions were met. At the same time, online casinos are not liberalized: they can still be run only by companies that have a concession for a land-based casino in Hungary.

• experience in online gambling for at least 5 years in the EEA;
• Hungarian representative office/branch and authorized capital of the branch ≥ HUF 1 billion;
• providing HUF ≥ 250 million and a one-time license fee ~ HUF 600 million;
• license term - up to 7 years;
• Responsible Gaming action plan, restrictions and financial monitoring;
• a number of payment rules (accounts with PSPs authorized by the Hungarian National Bank, and mechanisms for blocking illegal payments).

What remains unchanged after 2022/2023

Online casinos: Available only to concession operators of land-based casinos (i.e. non-market license).

Remote rates: an open but strictly licensed model for EEA operators; local presence and AML/KYC compliance required.

Supervision and control: SZTFH actively applies coercive measures - blocking sites, a register of prohibited payment accounts, sanctions; there is extraterritorial coverage for services available from Hungarian IPs.

Procedural and technical details (after 2022)

The regulator issued and updated by-laws (including SZTFH Decree 20/2021 as amended at the end of 2022), which specify the forms, procedural steps and technical requirements for remote operators (representative, documents, certification, payments, RG plan).

Quick synopsis for editorial sidebar

1991: Gambling Act (single regulatory framework) adopted.

2014: online casinos - for land concession holders only; Online betting de facto at Szerencsejáték Zrt. → claims in the EU Court.

2022: Amendments to the Gambling Act → from 01. 01. 2023 launch of the licensed sports betting market for EEA operators; online casinos remain the privilege of concessionaires.

What it means for the market

For new brands: entry is possible through a remote license for rates with a high capitalization bar, local presence and RG/AML compliance.

For the casino scene: online casinos remain "tied" to land concessions - a model without broad liberalization.

For regulatory practice: blocking of unlicensed services and payment channels is increasing.

Note on sources

The review was prepared on the basis of specialized legal digests and guidelines (CMS, Schönherr, DLA Piper/ICLG, Lexology), taking into account the status for 2024-2025. and existing by-laws SZTFH.