The legal landscape of online gambling in Hungary: what You need to know
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Online gambling is becoming more and more popular in Hungary. People are becoming more interested in playing online casino games, sports betting, and generally using online casino platforms on their mobile phones or tablets, because of their convenience. To help players make informed choices, the casino.online shows and compares all the best casino bonuses, making it easier to find trusted sites with the best offers.
In this article, we will delve deeper into how online gambling operates in Hungary, including key information for players to be aware of, as well as the entities that can legally offer gambling services, which will aid in selecting a suitable platform.
The Current Legal Framework for Online Gambling in Hungary
Let’s first start by understanding the current legal framework of online gambling in Hungary.
Hungary’s gambling industry is mainly governed by the 1991 Gambling Act. Initially, the focus of this law was on traditional, land-based gambling, like lottery games and casinos. It has, however, been changed multiple times to include online gambling as well.
Who Regulates Gambling in Hungary?
The Gambling Supervision Authority (Szerencsejáték Felügyelet) is in charge of making sure gambling is done fairly and, most importantly, legally. They have a few tasks, including:
- Approving licences for operators, both online and land-based
- Monitoring sites to make sure they follow all the regulations, including fairness of games and payment methods
- Investigating illegal gambling activities, which can include unlicensed websites
- Protecting players and their rights, both personal and financial
Their goal is to make sure the gambling environment is safe, fair, and transparent for each player.
Who Can Operate Legally in Hungary?
If a company is looking to start with gambling services in Hungary, there are a few requirements they have to meet in order to get a licence from the Gambling Supervision Authority.
This includes having a secure and reliable gaming website and proving that their games are fair. On top of this, they are required to follow specific rules on responsible gaming, and they need to protect the players’ money and information.
Local vs. Foreign Operators
Online gambling was limited to state-run businesses in Hungary. For example, online sports betting was controlled by the national lottery organization, Szerencsejáték Zrt.
The European Union (EU), however, argued that this was unfair and that it violated EU free market laws. As a result, Hungary changed its regulations in 2023 to allow requests for licenses from businesses based in the EU. Foreign companies can now lawfully provide online gaming services in Hungary as long as they get a license and follow all regulations.