Szerencsejáték Zrt

History and Ownership

Szerencsejáték Zrt. was established on 31 December 1990 and began operations in 1991. It is a 100% state-owned company, created by the Hungarian government to centrally organize lottery and gambling activities. The company holds a legal monopoly over draw-based lottery games, land-based sports betting, and instant tickets, giving it a dominant position in the domestic market. Its headquarters are in Budapest.

Business Model and Products

The company generates revenue primarily through ticket sales and betting stakes across its extensive product lineup. Key lottery products include Ötöslottó (5/90), Hatoslottó (6/45), Skandináv lottó (7/35), Puttó (a fast-draw keno-style game), Joker, and Luxor (bingo-style). Scratch cards (Sorsjegyek) are a major segment, including charity editions. For sports betting, it operates Tippmix at retail outlets and TippmixPRO, an online sportsbook launched in October 2023, which covers over 120,000 monthly events and features Bet Builder, bonuses, and risk management tools. In 2024, the company introduced digital instant games through a deal with Aristocrat Interactive’s NeoGames Studio.

Retail and Digital Footprint

Szerencsejáték Zrt. has a vast retail network of nearly 7,000 own and partner points across Hungary. Early adoption of digital channels began with telephone betting in 1997 and internet betting in 1999. In 2015, it deployed Scientific Games’ AEGIS open software system, and by 2018 Scientific Games became its sole technology provider. After regulatory changes in 2023 allowed competition in online sports betting, Szerencsejáték Zrt. partnered with EveryMatrix to host its TippmixPRO platform in a local data center, modernizing its digital offer.

Regulatory and Social Responsibility

The company operates under Act XXXIV of 1991 on Gambling Operations and enforces strict player protection measures: age verification, deposit limits, self-exclusion tools, and responsible-gambling messaging. It has eight customer information centers nationwide for gambling addiction support. Szerencsejáték Zrt. holds fifth-level Responsible Gaming Certification from both the European Lotteries and the World Lottery Association. Its social initiatives include a charity scratch-card network that has employed people with disabilities for over 20 years, with proceeds funding inclusive playgrounds for children with and without disabilities.

Recent Developments

In early 2025, political reshuffles left the CEO position vacant, as reported by SBC News in February 2025. The company continues to expand its digital offerings; TippmixPRO is gaining traction, and eInstant games have been launched. Sponsorship activities remain significant, with billions of forints distributed to sport, cultural, and social initiatives, though some controversy has been noted in media reports.

Key Leadership

As of 2025, the Chief Commercial Officer is Krisztián Brenkus, confirmed in a 2024 TradeMagazin interview. The Chief Financial Officer is Pozsgai Balázs, who assumed the role in 2025 after serving as Head of Controlling. The CEO position is currently vacant; the previous CEO, Dr. Gábor Czepek, was confirmed in 2018. No other C-level executives could be confirmed from public sources.