TITLE: Hungary's Regulated Activities Supervisory Authority Fines Szerencsejáték Zrt. for Lottery Drawing Procedure Deviations
BODY:
On July 21, 2026, Hungary's Regulated Activities Supervisory Authority (SZTFH) concluded its investigation into lottery drawings conducted during week 16 of the year and imposed administrative fines totalling HUF 10 million on Szerencsejáték Zrt. The SZTFH issued fines of HUF 2.5 million for each of four lottery games—Scandinavian Lottery, Lotto 6/49, Lotto 5/35, and Joker—due to deviations from approved game plans during the online closure process.
The SZTFH initiated its regulatory inspection on April 22, 2026, focusing on the preparation and conduct of the four lottery drawings, including handling of drawing equipment, determination of winning numbers, and data processing and payment procedures related to winning tickets. The authority requested data submissions on multiple occasions—April 22, May 5, June 3, and June 12, 2026—and conducted an on-site inspection at Szerencsejáték Zrt.'s headquarters on May 7, 2026, where it examined IT processes, data handling, and reviewed camera footage of equipment storage and movement. The authority's summary inspection report, completed on June 19, 2026, determined that while the lottery operator fundamentally complied with applicable legislation and approved game plans during preparation and conduct of the drawings, it deviated from the approved procedures during online closure. Importantly, the SZTFH confirmed that this deviation did not affect the integrity or results of the drawings examined. The authority initiated proceedings on June 23, 2026, and communicated its decision on June 24, 2026. Szerencsejáték Zrt. must pay the HUF 10 million fine within 30 days from the decision becoming final.