The Hungarian government has launched a review into whether to shut down the Supervisory Authority for Regulated Activities (SZTFH), the body that regulates the country’s gambling, tobacco and mining sectors, and hand its powers to bodies managed by the government instead.
A resolution published in the Hungarian Gazette on 31 August called on the justice minister to prepare a report on the feasibility of terminating the SZTFH and transferring its tasks elsewhere within government. The minister has until 30 September to report back.
The review follows revelations that the SZTFH had granted CAI Hungary Kft, a company linked to businessman István Garancsi, a 35-year casino concession running until 2061 to operate the Sopron casino, without putting the licence out to public tender.
