The real question seems to be whether Hungary will accept the sites:
Hungary sends draft online gaming law to EC; new Sazka boss; OEG revenue up

This appears to be a protectionist bill disguised as an open market bill, similar to a US State creating a lottery monopoly, establishing guidelines and fees for competition in the future, but since they make the final decision on licensing - it will remain a monopoly for as long as they choose.

Beyond that it's an interesting idea, similar to what NV seems intent on selling to other States in the US; rather than creating an entire regulatory scheme, simply allow 'foreign' regulated sites to operate a deposit/storage server in your jurisdiction, and tax the revenue from your jurisdiction's play.

Combine this legislation with a federal (EU in this case) licensing reciprocity agreement and it could be the best of both worlds, but as written - without any minimum number of licenses to be granted or obligation to approve other EU state licensees - this bill appears to be a state-owned monopoly in disguise.

^^ thanks for sharing this.

What do you think how long does it takes to begin the whole licensing process?

It looks like it's designed to evolve slowly, allowing the State-owned monopoly at least a year to get a foothold before any possibility of competition, but as I said, even after that year, there is no guarantee that there would be competition, or what areas they might allow competition (poker/casino/sports) - only that the government will consider licensing applications.

That being said, I like the idea in principle, in fact I think NV and NJ should look at this as a potential model for selling poker compacts to other US States;

NV/NJ could tell Delaware e.g. that rather than go to court and litigate your online poker monopoly, or risk Congress passing legislation to force everyone's hand, go ahead and run your lottery platform for a year, after which you agree to license (for a fee) our licensed sites to set up shop in your State, you tax them and monitor that they aren't cheating (taxes or poker), and your lottery provider can do the same in NV/NJ.

NV/NJ would just need to be convinced of the benefits of that approach, sure it isn't as lucrative as actually having DE players' money being spent in NV/NJ - then giving DE a kickback, but no state would ever agree to that type of compacting anyway.

At least this strategy could allow for a NV based corporation like Caesars or a NJ based PokerStars to profit in a market they would otherwise be shutout, and that profit could go to improve/expand local properties and create local jobs.

So it could lead to a possible poker blackout?

Not according to the link I posted, the State-owned site already offers poker, and will be adding sports and casino games, so poker wouldn't be going away except for the unlicensed competition to the State-owned site being blocked at the ISP level.

If by 'poker blackout' you mean what most Americans mean: 'no Stars or FTP', then yes that's most assured for at least a year if this draft becomes law.

they doesnt offer poker. The State-owned site is just crap they offer only sportbetting online. offline they offer lottery, sportsbetting and ticketgames

I'm puzzled by the positive reaction to this.

The $450k fee per gambling offering for a five year licence up front seems like just a big barrier to any new entrants. the 20% gross revenue tax seems a bit high but I guess that's the current charge.

The gaps in info - player protection, limits on total sites to be licenced etc etc make it hard to make a snap judgment but it looks like a bill designed to exclude international competition not a big liberalisation or a breakup of the state monopoly. Indeed the new powers to fine ISPs that allow access to non Hungarian licenced sites look terrible in principle.

Licencing should be cheap - it should be a fee for teh regulation costs not a revenue driver and not an up front 5 year barrier. Licencing should also be open to anyone who meets the regulatory standard not limited and the only standard published so far seems to be that they have a lot of working capital and likely a requirement to deposit that to reassure their taxman not players.

Without more detail its impossible to say but my initial reaction is that this is state monopoly protection wrapped up as liberalisation and sent to the EU as a stalling move more than anything else.

Sorry, the Calvin Ayre piece said they already offer card games so I assumed poker, perhaps they meant scratch-off cards, but they also say they will be adding casino games under this proposal - and the suite of 'casino games' the provider (GTECH) offers includes poker.

As written, that's exactly what it is, but it's only a proposal that with a few modifications could be a decent compromise between entirely open borders for internet gambling (dream) and State monopoly over internet poker (nightmare).

The simple addition of an requirement that Hungary must actually approve a minimum number of licensees within a reasonable time period, along with some tweaks to the fees/taxes etc would make this a far better solution than what seems to be on the horizon for most States here in the US.

The US seems locked on a course that will end with one of three results; no online gambling in many States, lottery only in some or commercial only in a few - with liquidity damned off by those categories.

This Hungary draft proposal is the first I've seen anywhere that even attempts to address a compromise between lottery and commercial, and wouldn't require a non-commercial gambling State to create a regulatory framework.

It's refreshing to me to see someone actually thinking outside of the two boxes (Gambling is a State Right! - Free Trade!); transferring that line of thinking to the US, it might be reasonable to allow State lotteries and/or Tribal governments a first-mover advantage within their State markets to bridge the gap that a brand name like WSOP or PokerStars would create.

Eventually the market walls will be taken down, but whether in the EU or US, through the courts, Congress or Parliament, that process could take several years, whereas a compromise idea like this one could prevent solid walls like those in Italy from ever being constructed.

I see your point Tam. I guess this would be big progress for the US and you are right that protecting/placating the state monopolies will be a big part of whatever package squeezes through the political sausage machine but in an EU context it is nowhere close to good enough.

The EU already has legal judgments for an open EU market and against the state monopolies. We have the UK system going ahead that allows sites from any country, no limits on licences, international player pools, significant player protections, taxation of sites limited to taxes on UK player revenues.....all we need is for the courts to force this open model on every EU member .......the political compromise in our sausage is that Hungary or whichever EU state gets to set the sites tax rate on players in Hungary and if they want impose additional licencing/regulatory measures to protect players.

Hey,

I'm a SNG grinder and plan on moving to Budapest to live in January for hopefully somewhere between 3 and 6 months, and possibly longer if things work out over there.

Obviously at the moment there's no laws against playing online poker in Hungary, and as far as I know it's untaxed too, but I just wanted to see if anyone knew if there's likely to be any changes to the legislation any time soon?

Is there any talk of introducing tax to winnings, or does any one know if there's any rumours of it being regulated in the same way France, Italy and Spain have done (limiting fields to that particular country)?

Anyhow, just wanted to check to see what the deal was before deciding to move there.

Thanks

Mikey

There is this NVG thread from June

http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/29...erday-1346423/

Hello every one.
I'm mpoving to Budapest in a few weeks. Does anybody know what is tax for live and online winnings? Some sites say it's 30%, some that there is no tax at all. Please enlighten me =)
Thank you

This thread has some info, although it might be out-dated:
http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/20...rview-1139901/

yeah, thast why I asked =)
it's dated 2011, and since then i've read that hungary had changes in gambling laws. Was hoping that maybe someone from Hungary is here and knows how it goes there. Is it taxed, is it not, or it's being swept under the rug, like you are supposed to pay, but noone does it?
thanks anyway

Comon guys!
No one knows?
It goes from 0% to 16%(income)+27%(health care contribution)=43%tax!!!. 0 to almost a HALF
Some sites say you can not play becauyse the sites of FT and PS are blocked from hungary.
Any info on tax and the abbility to play?
Please!
*yes, i tried google and google translate is not the best tool =)

Hello guys, anyone know how the situation is in hungary?
3 friends and me are thinking go there, and we can't find information about taxes

Thanks!!

Hi !

I am living in Hungary since 2 years and if I am right there is no real taxes rules... But it is changing !

You have to know Ps.com is blacklist since 1 year (but we can play) and since few weeks French Poker website (Winamax and Pokerstars.fr) are no accessible. Apparently they are looking for create a specific Hungarian poker system.

BTW if you want declare your win (If I have good memory) you will have to paye around 28%.

With other poker friend we dont know if we have to move or not... The actual situation is not clear and I am also interesting for more information.

Thanks for your help EICameIeon!!

I had read this information in differents webs, it was a great option but than you say the situation is not clear.
now we are looking for information about slovakia. On internet is difficult find reliable information because the majority is dated 2014 or 2013

If anyone know anything, please help us!

Bump

Would like to know about the current online poker situation in Hungary. Any info would be much appreciated. :-)

Can you play online, or are sites blocked?
How are online poker winnings taxed?

Hi,

I potentially wish to come and live in Budapest

Are there players who live in Hungary to say how the tax system actually works?

I feel like most of them are not reporting anything and have never had a problem.

Are there tax controls in Hungary related to poker?

Thank you in advance

Hello, i'm planning to move to Hungary in the near future, can anybody tell me if online poker has any restriction in Hungary or if they have any taxes for online poker?
Thank you

kobepaul

Moved your post into this thread. Perhaps see also https://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/2...hlight=hungary.

From what i could find about Hungary is that is not the best option for Poker Players, so maybe try Austria...