REGULATORY REFORM
The inertia of monopoly: regime changes and the legal roadblocks to gambling liberalization in Hungary DR. GÁBOR HELEMBAI FINDS THAT POLITICAL REGIMES SHAPE THE PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE OF GAMING POLICIES
F or over two decades, Hungary’s gambling regulation has been characterized by an entrenched inertia, prioritizing state monopolies and restricted, non-transparent concessions over meaningful market liberalization. Following a landmark political shift in the 2026 general elections, the newly formed government now faces an unprecedented opportunity to overhaul this oligopolistic system. However, dismantling the legacy of the heavily patched 1991 Gambling Act requires balancing the urge for political accountability with the need for a modern, EU-compliant regulatory framework. This article explores the historical roadblocks to gambling liberalization in Hungary and argues that upcoming reforms must be driven by professional industry standards rather than mere political drive for accountability to avoid destabilizing the market.
Factors hindering the dismantling of an oligopolistic market From a broader perspective, a complex interplay of social, legal and political factors has contributed to the current situation. Here, the inflexibility of a system characterized by oligopolistic features has so far prevented the establishment of a modern, EU-compliant legal framework that serves the interests of both market participants and players. The persistence of Hungary’s gambling regime is well illustrated by Act XXXIV of 1991 (the 'Gambling Act') 1 , which, although it has undergone numerous amendments, has been in force for 35 years. Normally, if a law has been in force for such a long time, it is a sign of stability and predictability.
1 No official translation is available of the Gambling Act. The original Hungarian version is available here: https://njt.jog.gov.hu/jogsz- abaly/1991-34-00-00
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IMGL MAGAZINE | SEPTEMBER 2026
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