Hungary parliament approves measures curbing SZTFH gambling oversight

Hungary's parliament has approved measures that reduce the powers of the SZTFH, the country's gambling regulator, and dissolved the authority's concessions council, according to a report by Focus Gaming News. The measures advance the new government's plans to reform the licensing supervision system in gambling and other sectors.

According to the report, the new provisions, if fully implemented, would remove the requirement for the authority's approval of concession tenders, including their modification or termination. The government has also tasked the competent ministers with examining how the concessions were awarded.

The SZTFH rejected some criticism, stating that it never had the power to award concessions directly and that such decisions have always been the government's responsibility. The authority said its role was limited to providing prior consent and carrying out supervisory functions.

Government authorities are also examining the handling of online gambling and sports betting reforms introduced in 2022 and 2023. Although the reforms were intended to create a more competitive market, international operators have largely stayed away amid allegations that the revised rules continued to favour the state-backed company, according to the report.