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The Hungarian Gaming Regulator Supervisory Authority for Regulatory Affairs, (SZTFH), issued a decree implementing technical measures in response the amendments to the Gambling Act.
Hungary passed legislation in February 2022 to abolish the sports betting state monopoly system. It will be replaced by a more competitive licensing process, implemented by the SZTFH. 2017 saw the Court of Justice of the European Union declare the previous system illegal.
The new regime was implemented on January 1, 2023. It has a variety of requirements for those who wish to launch in the state.
Operators who want to be granted authorisation by the SZTFH need at least five years’ experience in licensed online gambling in an EU state. A business cannot be granted a licence by the SZTFH if it has broadcast unlicensed gambling within five years from the date of application.
Operators are required to pay a HUF10m (EUR26,000), application fee. Businesses must also have a minimum share capital of HUF1bn and pay a HUF600m licence fee. The supervision fee is only applicable to HUF10m of costs.
The SZTFH did not approve any foreign operators in Hungary to launch as of March. It only issued a license to Szerencsejatek Zrt (a former state monopoly) which operates via the Tippmixpro.hu website. A tethered license is also available for three Hungarian casinos to operate an online casino.
Hungary’s Gambling Act was amended in January 2023. This legislation included a variety of technical changes to help facilitate the new gambling market. The law previously allowed a player to have only one balance with an operator. The new rules allow a consumer to have multiple balances that are linked to each of their games.
The legislation allowed businesses to offer users the opportunity to cash out early, among other changes. The text states that cash out must be subject to the same rules as winnings payments.
The Gaming Act was amended at the state agency level by the regulator. The new safer gambling feature will be announced in conjunction with the introduction of early cash withdrawals in Hungary.
The decree states that “The gambling operator must expressly draw the attention of the player to the fact the use of this function can lead to an increased risk of addiction and excessive gambling. This information shall be included in the text promotion in the same font size”
“The operator of a gambling site shall also inform the player that using that function can increase the risk of addiction and excessive gambling.”
