Hungary has introduced changes to its rules concerning gambling in the country, opening up fresh growth opportunities.

The changes were unexpected in view of the country’s reluctance to address the issue in the past couple of years. The most significant amendment to the existing rules is broadening the list of games legally available on the web. The Hungarian Parliament also pledged to issue 10 new casino concessions.

The new laws, which became effective in July, still treat remote gambling as a “non-liberalised” gaming activity but it will be expanded to include sports betting and online casino games, in addition to the previously available online horserace betting and online card games. Remote gambling activities may be carried out only by the state gambling organisation or by a concession operator that has a contract with the state. This means that foreign companies wishing to operate in Hungary will need to establish a domestic concession company in order to start providing such services in the country.

Companies that want to enter the Hungarian gambling market will be assigned five-year concessions and will be required to pay a fee of some $450,000 per game type. Operators will also be liable to a 20% tax on their gross gaming revenues, to be paid every two weeks, as well as a quarterly supervisory fee equal to 2.25% of the sum.

Soon after the government banned the use of slot machines outside Hungary’s three casinos, local lawmakers now seem to have changed their minds and will be promoting the launch of new casinos in 10 cities outside the capital by launching closed bids for operators.