The parliament of Hungary is considering legislation that would end the state-run iGaming monopoly. It would open the market to private online operators.
The most recent gaming laws, passed in 2014, created a private market for land-based casino and poker operators. However, the online sports betting was limited to government-run Szerencsejáték Zrt.
The revised law would allow an unlimited number of operators within the European Economic Area to operate online gaming in Hungary. They would need to obtain permission from the country’s gaming regulator.
Operators who have operated sites without a license during the past decade will not be allowed to operate in the country.
Operators will be required to offer a plan to protect against excessive gambling. The bill notes: “In a liberalized online betting market, several private companies are competing with each other, so there is a danger of encouraging excessive gambling instead of maximizing the principle of responsible gaming.”
The bill must be reviewed by the European Commission. This review period is until May 4.
