Hungary is reviewing whether to abolish the Supervisory Authority of Regulated Activities (SZTFH), the autonomous body overseeing gambling. A government resolution dated August 31 tasked Justice Minister Márta Görög with examining the regulator's operations and options for transferring its functions to state-controlled institutions. The report was due by September 30.
SZTFH maintains it is independent: established by parliament in 2021, it answers only to legislation and operates outside government control. In a statement on September 1, the regulator said it would cooperate with the review. SZTFH oversees gambling, tobacco, mining and cybersecurity — sectors that generate over 1 trillion forints ($3.16 billion) in annual tax revenue and employ more than 50,000 people.
Hungary formally liberalised online gambling in January 2023, ending the state operator's monopoly and allowing companies from the European Economic Area to apply for licences. The reform followed rulings by the EU Court of Justice, which in 2017 found Hungarian requirements — including 10 years of prior domestic operation — discriminatory.
Foreign operators have not moved in. In March 2025, SZTFH president László Nagy said no international company had secured a licence because none had applied. As of the September 1 registry, two online bookmakers hold licences: tippmixpro.hu, run by state operator Szerencsejáték Zrt, and vegas.hu, operated by Budapest-based LVC Diamond. The same LVC Diamond runs three licensed online casinos.
If SZTFH is dismantled, it signals a return to tighter state control. For foreign operators, it is another reason to stay out.
