Hungarians Turn to Online Poker Following Gambling Act Amendments

Following amendments to the Gambling Act 1991 made just several months ago, Hungarian casino players have turned to online casinos to play their poker games.

The amendments were made in the effect that 1.) poker winnings will have heavier levies; 2.) the same higher taxes will also be imposed upon poker clubs in the country, thirty percent as per the amendments, and; 3.) the poker clubs will only get fifteen percent of their total revenues.

We would recall that the Gambling Act which was passed in 1991 was directed towards the government having major control of the gambling industry in the country.  Under the Gambling Act, gambling establishments are allowed to operate in the country for as long as the government will hold a higher share and have major control of the casinos and other gambling facilities.

IMPACT ON PLAYERS AND GAMBLING ESTABLISHMENTS

The heavy tax impositions outlined in the amended Gambling Act has had a negative impact on the live poker clubs in the country, driving most of them to the ground; which has ultimately resulted in most of poker players looking for other alternatives with the closing down of several poker clubs here.

Poker clubs that have since closed down have stated that they simply are not earning enough to keep them open with these amendments.

The Hungarian Poker Association deemed the government’s amendments to the Gambling Act as a move directed towards poker players who are favoring the poker clubs instead of casinos in the country, to shift their focus on the casinos in place of the poker clubs.

This assumption by the Hungarian Poker Association was further emphasized by State Secretary Laszlo Detrekoi of the Ministry of Finance, with Detrekoi stating that the changes to the Gambling Act was a move to create a conciliation between the two major players in the gambling industry in the country:  poker clubs and live casinos.

However, this move has prompted the poker players here to instead shift their focus on online casinos.

ONLINE GAMBLING IN HUNGARY

Like most other countries, online gambling operators are not allowed in Hungary.  Poker enthusiasts instead turn to online poker sites that are operated outside the country.  Players argued that by playing poker in online casinos, they are not subjected to heavy tax impositions and there are no strict regulations with poker playing as compared to those mandated by the Gambling Act.

The government has been giving hints as to the future of online gambling in the country.  Citing other countries’ laws on online gambling geared towards opposition of online gambling, there are talks heard over the grapevine that the Hungarian government may soon follow suit.

Erik Bánki, Chairperson of Sports and Tourism, has indirectly expressed his interest in the prohibition of online gambling in the country; during an interview some time in February.

Whether the decision is to limit internet gambling or to ban it altogether still remains to be seen; but as of the moment, poker players here are taking advantage of online poker sites.

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