Hungary's Szerencsejáték Zrt Fined HUF 10 Million Over Draw Procedure Breaches
2026-07-22
Source: Global Gaming Insider
Hungary's gambling regulator fined state lottery operator Szerencsejáték Zrt HUF 10m for procedural deviations in four lottery draws held in April, though the errors did not affect draw outcomes or prize payments. The operator self-reported the issue and plans to work with the regulator to resolve interpretation differences.
Hungary's gambling watchdog, the Supervisory Authority for Regulatory Affairs (SZTFH), has imposed a HUF 10m fine on state-owned lottery operator Szerencsejáték Zrt. The penalty, equivalent to HUF 2.5m per game, stems from procedural irregularities observed during lottery draws held in April.
The breaches involve the Scandinavian Lottery, Six Lottery, Five Lottery and Joker draws. Although the SZTFH determined that the draws were prepared and executed in a legally compliant manner, the operator failed to adhere to the approved procedures specifically regarding the online closing process.
Notably, Szerencsejáték Zrt itself triggered the investigation by voluntarily asking regulators to look into the matter after four of its lottery games produced jackpot winners within the same week in April. The probe, launched on 22 April 2026, covered draw equipment management, winning-number determination, data handling and prize payment procedures. Authorities reviewed camera footage, IT systems and conducted an on-site inspection at the operator's headquarters.
The regulator confirmed that the procedural deviation had no effect on the actual draw outcomes, winning numbers or prize distributions, and found no evidence of fraud or external interference.
Szerencsejáték Zrt conducted its own internal review, which turned up no irregularities that could have compromised the draws' integrity. The company attributed the issue to a differing interpretation between itself and the SZTFH concerning the technical requirements for online closing procedures. Moving forward, the operator stated it would collaborate with the regulator to clarify the relevant provisions and ensure that all future draws strictly follow the approved game plans.