Lottery games are legal in Hungary and operate under a state monopoly system governed by Act XXXIV of 1991 on Gambling Operations. The national lottery is run exclusively by Szerencsejáték Zrt., the state-owned gambling organization that offers popular games like Hatoslotto and Otoslotto. Two thirds of Hungarian adults regularly participate in their local lotteries, making it one of the most popular forms of gambling in the country (1).
Hungary's gambling regulatory framework underwent amendments on January 1, 2023, which ended the online betting monopoly but maintained lottery operations as a state monopoly. The Supervisory Authority of Regulated Activities oversees all gambling operations to ensure compliance with national regulations. Players from abroad may participate in Hungarian lottery draws, though certain restrictions may apply to prize collection (1).
"According to the official Hungary Lotto website, players from abroad may participate in draws, though certain restrictions may apply to the collection of prizes."
Hungarian lottery winnings are completely tax-free, meaning advertised prize amounts are exactly what winners receive. Draws for major lotteries like Hatoslotto occur every Sunday while Otoslotto takes place on Saturdays, with jackpots often reaching billions of forints. The current regulation on online gambling provides that lottery operations remain under state monopoly control (2).
Source:
https://www.thelotter.com/hungarian-lottery-guide/
https://cms.law/en/int/expert-guides/cms-expert-guide-to-online-gambling-regulation-in-europe/hungary
Last updated: 16-10-2025 Disclaimer: This article does not provide legal advice. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney directly.
