Subscribe to our social channels to get the latest news about Hungary!
Are online casinos legal in Hungary? How does the system work?
Change language:
Hungary has a long history of gambling. As the digital age dawned, the interest in online gambling grew among the Hungarian population, prompting questions about its legal status and regulation.
In this article, we will delve into the complex legal landscape of online gambling in Hungary, shedding light on the licensing process, the various regulations in place, and the potential future developments in the industry.
Legalization of Gambling in Hungary
Since 1991, gambling has been legalized in Hungary. This is due to the Law on Organizing Gaming Activities. Prior to that, Hungary was a part of the USSR, and gambling was prohibited. Bingo, casino games, and lottery are all games for gambling in Hungary. Szerencsejatek Zrt, a state-owned company, has the exclusive rights to sports betting, internet gambling, internet lottery games, bingo and online bingo.
A big change came in 2012, when gambling in physical sites was limited to state-owned shops and betting offices. Also, in the same year slot games which were frequently found in local pubs were banned.
Online gambling: Legal and Regulated in Hungary
Online gambling is legalized in Hungary. The strict regulations regarding online gambling became looser in 2013 when the first online casino started operating. The National Tax and Customs Administration of Hungary, also known as NAV, regulates and controls all online gambling, including casinos. Also, the Gambling Supervisory Authority is responsible for licensing and monitoring gambling activities in the country.
In Hungary, private companies can apply for licenses that allow them to run online casinos and offer casino games. The licensing process is time-consuming, and can be expensive.
The Rising Popularity of Mobile Casinos
As technology develops, mobile casinos seem destined to become an ever more prominent force in online gaming. Hungarian players can legally access slots, bingo, and live casino games on their smartphones. With most people owning smartphones spending more time using them than laptops, mobile gaming seems poised to dominate this sector of the industry.