The Hungarian state lottery operator Szerencsejatek could be the winner of the latest regulations for casinos in the country on concessions, because it is currently the only bidder with what observers say is too high a fee for the concession at 346,000 Euros.
Hungarian gaming analysts say that it is unlikely that the annual concession fee of 346,000 Euros will attract many game operators to Hungary.
With such conditions, major EU game operators will not even consider purchasing a concession here. Nowhere in Europe is the concession fee so high, analysts continued.
“This system reflects protectionism rather than an effort to liberalise the market,” they said.
Nor does the profit outlook attract many game operators since Hungarian players generally gamble for lower stakes than their western European peers.
The only good news is that the operators would only pay 20% tax on net gaming revenue, but will this be enough to encourage any operator to take a risk.
