Is Online Gambling Legal in Hungary?
Online gambling is legal in Hungary and has been regulated under national law since 2013. The legal framework allows licensed operators to offer casino games, sports betting, and lottery products online. However, the market remains narrow, with most legal access concentrated in a small group of approved platforms.
The majority of licensed operators are state-run or tied to land-based casino concessions. Foreign companies face barriers depending on the gambling sector, and the licensing process itself includes strict financial and operational conditions. These factors combined have resulted in a limited number of legal platforms available to players.
Because of this, many users choose to play on offshore gambling sites that accept Hungarian users. However, these platforms are not officially recognized in Hungary unless they have a local license, even if they are regulated elsewhere. Users aren’t penalized for using them, though the lack of regulatory oversight means fewer protections and no access to domestic dispute resolution if problems occur.
Gambling Regulators and Licensing in Hungary
Hungary’s gambling activity, both online and land-based, is regulated by the Supervisory Authority for Regulatory Affairs (SZTFH). This authority is responsible for issuing licenses, monitoring compliance, and applying sanctions across the gambling sector.
The licensing rules vary depending on the type of gambling service being offered:
Online Casino Games (slots, table games, poker, live dealer)
Only operators that already hold a land-based casino concession in Hungary are eligible to apply for an online casino license. Foreign companies without a local presence cannot apply.
Sports Betting
Since 2023, sports betting licenses have been open to private operators from the European Economic Area (EEA). These applications do not require the operator to already hold a land-based concession or have an established presence in Hungary. However, companies from outside the EEA are not eligible.
Draw-Based Games (lottery, keno, bingo)
These require a separate lottery license, which is typically issued to state-run or state-authorized entities. The market for these games remains under tight control, and access for private operators is highly limited.
At present, other forms of gambling do not have a separate licensing framework under Hungarian law, meaning that most regulated online activity falls into one of the three categories above.
Licensing Conditions and Monitoring
As mentioned earlier, the combination of regulatory obligations and entry requirements continues to deter many foreign operators from applying for a local license, which significantly limits the number of platforms legally available to Hungarian users. On the other hand, this system acts as a filter, keeping out inexperienced or under-resourced companies and prioritizing stability and oversight.
To qualify for a license, an operator must:
- Prove at least five years of prior experience running gambling operations.
- Pay a steep license fee and provide a security deposit.
- Establish a Hungarian branch within 90 days of license approval.
- Appoint a Hungarian-based representative.
- Demonstrate sufficient capital, technical infrastructure, and risk management systems.
Once licensed, platforms are subject to ongoing monitoring by the Supervisory Authority for Regulatory Affairs. Oversight includes reviews of system functionality, financial operations, and compliance with player protection rules, including responsible gambling tools and data handling. All approved operators are listed on the SZTFH’s public whitelist, and any fines or sanctions issued for violations of the licensing terms are publicly recorded.
These requirements don’t guarantee flawless service, but they do create a more controlled environment, where local users have some degree of protection. That level of oversight isn’t always present when using offshore sites, where different licensing rules and enforcement practices apply.
What to Consider with Offshore Platforms
Under the current system, any online gambling platform that hasn’t obtained a license from the Hungarian regulator is not permitted to operate in the country, even if it holds a license from another jurisdiction. This includes operators based in the EEA, who must still apply for and receive local approval to legally serve Hungarian users.
The SZTFH may take enforcement action against unlicensed sites that target the Hungarian market. These actions can include blocking the website at the domain level, restricting transactions through local payment providers, and issuing administrative fines against the operator.
Although users aren’t penalized for using offshore platforms, doing so does come with certain risks and limitations:
- Winnings must be declared as taxable income, unlike those from licensed Hungarian platforms, which are tax-exempt
- You may lose access to your account or funds if the SZTFH blocks the site
- Hungarian authorities cannot step in if a dispute arises, and courts are not permitted to handle complaints against unlicensed operators
Even with these limitations, international sites remain popular among Hungarian users. These platforms often provide faster withdrawals, broader payment support, and access to larger game libraries compared to locally licensed alternatives.