Hungarian Amendment to gambling act would end sports betting monopoly

A proposed amendment to the Hungarian Gambling Act was submitted to Parliament last week by an MP from the majority party.

DLA Piper report an amendment proposal that allows for the licensing of only two online casinos along with tighter technical provisions and more detailed regulation on online casino and card games.

Curiously the proposal also reportedly includes a provision that would allow existing terrestrial concession holders (seven in total) to offer remote sports betting, effectively ending the state-owned Gambling Plc’s monopoly.

As DLA Piper points out: “It has to be noted however, that the proposal is a very poorly drafted piece of legislation, being unclear and containing several contradictions and incoherencies; therefore it is unlikely that the Parliament will adopt the proposal without amendments.”

The proposal is scheduled for Parliamentary debate at its plenary meeting today (Monday) and tomorrow.