Szerencsejáték Zrt has completed a full board restructuring following Péter Magyar’s election victory over Viktor Orbán and the TISZA coalition’s assumption of power on May 9. The new finance and economy minister, András Kármán, confirmed the appointment of Marcell Olajos as chairman alongside the removal of several directors.
Leadership Changes and Sector Review
The restructuring replaces Zoltán Guller, who was dismissed in June, and removes board members Krisztina Rédey, Gábor Bordás, Szabolcs Ágostházy and Zsófia Illés-Puka. Director Marianna Gabriella Poltné Palásthy, wife of former Prosecutor General Péter Polt, also stepped down. Kármán stated the overhaul supports a wider audit of state enterprises, aiming to eliminate "political influence and unauthorised advantage" while establishing "corruption-free and transparent management".Poltné Palásthy described the personnel shift as a "politically motivated purge", noting that TISZA is applying the same governance methods it previously criticised under the sixteen-year Fidesz administration. The leadership review coincides with a scheduled assessment of Szerencsejáték Zrt’s monopoly status, revenue distribution and corporate governance.
Authorities will examine sponsorships and public funding allocated during the prior term. These regulatory adjustments are expected to define the future structure of Hungary’s gambling sector.
The operator retains exclusive rights to the national lottery and maintains its sports betting dominance, despite the market opening to European Economic Area operators in 2023.