Hungary limits SZTFH powers over gambling concessions

The Hungarian Parliament has passed legislation to strip the Supervisory Authority for Regulated Activities (SZTFH) of its powers regarding gambling concessions. The law, designated as T/639, also dissolves the authority’s Concessions Council, which was established during the previous Fidesz administration.

Under the new regulations, which took effect on October 1, the SZTFH is no longer required to oversee concession tenders, invitations to bid, or the signing, amending, and termination of concession contracts. This reform is part of a broader effort by the TISZA government to review the management of gambling contracts and potentially reorganize or dissolve the authority entirely.

The SZTFH has contested the characterization of its role, stating that it did not have the power to grant concessions directly but rather provided necessary prior consent for the competent minister to execute or modify agreements. The authority noted it had issued 81 such consents since October 2021.