Hungary’s New Government to Investigate Whether Lottery and Betting Funds Supported Orbán’s Political System

^{Pictured: András Kármán, Hungary’s finance minister}

Hungary’s new government plans to review the operations of state-owned companies that were active under the previous administration of Viktor Orbán. The audit will include Szerencsejáték Zrt., the state-owned lottery and betting operator that holds a key position in the country’s gambling market, SBC News reported.

The review comes after a change of government in Hungary. In May 2026, Péter Magyar became prime minister after the TISZA party won the parliamentary election, ending 16 years of rule by Viktor Orbán and Fidesz.

The new authorities plan to examine the operations of state-owned companies, the state of public finances and possible political influence within state institutions. In the case of Szerencsejáték Zrt., the issue concerns not only its business operations, but also the distribution of gambling revenues.

Finance Minister András Kármán accused the state operator of allowing its revenues to be used for “propaganda purposes” instead of transferring them transparently to the state budget.

Authorities want to determine whether money from lotteries and betting was channeled into media outlets, cultural projects or sponsorship initiatives linked to the previous government.

Szerencsejáték Zrt. remains one of Hungary’s most important state-owned companies in the gambling sector. It retains a monopoly on lotteries and remains one of the main players in the land-based betting segment. As a result, the audit could cover its revenues, advertising and sponsorship agreements.

If the review finds violations, the authorities could reassess the management of the state operator, its sponsorship agreements and its privileged market position.

Online betting in Hungary is no longer a closed state-controlled segment. Since 2023, operators from the European Economic Area have been able to apply for licences. However, market entry remains difficult because of regulation and the state’s strong role.

Online casinos remain a more restricted segment. Access to the market is linked to land-based casino concessions, leaving significant barriers for new entrants.