Hungary has enacted legislation that removes several concession-related responsibilities from the Supervisory Authority for Regulated Activities (SZTFH), marking a significant change to the country’s regulatory framework while leaving the authority’s gambling oversight role intact for now.
The reform follows parliamentary approval of legislation on September 22, 2026, that reduces SZTFH’s involvement in concession procedures, administrative functions, and approval requirements connected to state concession arrangements. The changes arrive as the Hungarian government continues a broader review of the regulator’s future, including the possibility of abolishing the authority and redistributing its responsibilities among other public institutions.
While the latest measures alter how concession matters will be managed, they do not currently affect SZTFH’s core responsibility for supervising regulated gambling activities.
Parliament Removes Key Concession Functions
The legislative changes originate from Bill T/639, which was submitted to Hungary’s National Assembly on September 8. Lawmakers approved the proposal by a vote of 135 in favor, 46 against, and six abstentions.
Under the new framework, SZTFH will no longer participate in several concession-related procedures where its prior approval was previously required. The legislation also eliminates the Concession Council that operated within the authority and transfers record-keeping responsibilities associated with concessions away from the regulator.
Documents connected to concession administration currently held by SZTFH must be transferred to Hungary’s finance minister within 30 days. The legislation also authorizes the government to appoint either a minister or another central government body to oversee concession procedures going forward.
The designated state institution will be able to negotiate, modify, and terminate concession contracts on behalf of the Hungarian state.
These changes reduce SZTFH’s administrative role in concession matters but stop short of eliminating the regulator or removing its broader responsibilities within the gambling sector.
Regulator Clarifies Its Previous Role
Following the parliamentary vote, SZTFH issued a clarification regarding the extent of its former authority in concession matters.
According to the regulator, it did not directly award state concessions. Instead, its involvement focused on administrative functions, oversight, and the provision of prior consent in specific concession procedures. The authority noted that the power to conclude concession agreements on behalf of Hungary had remained with the government official designated for that purpose.
The distinction is significant because it means the legislation changes procedural responsibilities rather than transferring powers that the regulator did not previously hold.
The reform therefore affects how concession processes are managed and supervised rather than fundamentally altering the state’s authority to grant concession rights.
Gambling Oversight Remains Unchanged
For the gambling industry, the immediate impact appears limited to concession administration.
SZTFH continues to oversee regulated gambling activity in Hungary, and the latest legislation does not modify the existing framework governing gambling supervision, licensing enforcement, or regulatory oversight.
Under Hungarian law, casino gambling operates within a state-monopoly model. Casino operations may be conducted by eligible state-controlled entities or through rights granted by the state under concession agreements. Operators must also obtain authorization in accordance with the Gambling Act and related regulations.
As a result, gambling businesses are expected to focus on how administrative responsibilities will be reassigned during the transition period. Questions remain regarding which ministry or government body will assume each former concession function, how ongoing procedures will be handled, and whether additional reforms could affect gambling licensing requirements in the future.
The legislation itself does not address those broader issues, leaving several aspects of the transition unresolved.
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Broader Government Review Continues
The concession reform forms part of a wider government examination of SZTFH that began earlier this year.
On August 31, 2026, the government issued a resolution ordering a review of the authority and the legal steps that would be necessary if it were ultimately dissolved. The review includes consideration of how SZTFH’s responsibilities could be reassigned to government-directed institutions.
Justice Minister Márta Görög was tasked with preparing a report on the available options by September 30.
Any restructuring would extend beyond gambling regulation. SZTFH’s responsibilities also cover sectors including tobacco, mining, and cybersecurity, meaning a full reorganization would affect multiple regulatory areas.
The authority has also highlighted the need to comply with European Union requirements regarding the independence of certain regulatory functions. That consideration could influence how responsibilities are redistributed if the government decides to proceed with more extensive reforms.
For now, Hungary’s gambling regulatory system remains largely unchanged apart from the removal of concession-related duties from SZTFH. Future legislation or government decrees are expected to determine which institutions inherit those responsibilities and whether additional changes will follow as the review of the authority progresses.
Source:
"Hungary removes gambling regulator’s concession powers in major legal change", dailynewshungary.com, September 28, 2026