Hungary Orders Lottery Check Amid Fairness Concerns After Multiple Wins

The move comes after four separate lottery games all produced jackpot winners within the same week—an outcome that quickly sparked debate across both traditional media and social platforms about the fairness and transparency of the system.

In response, the operator confirmed that it voluntarily requested an investigation by regulators to ensure that all procedures were functioning correctly and without bias. The review will focus on both the mechanical draw process and the IT systems that support it. According to the company, these systems are subject to strict regulation and regular oversight. Draw machines are certified by Hungary’s official metrology authority, while the draws themselves are conducted in secure, sealed environments under notarial supervision.

Despite the unusual clustering of wins, Szerencsejáték Zrt emphasized that similar occurrences have been recorded before, including comparable cases in 2018 and 2000. Still, the operator acknowledged that public trust is essential and pledged full transparency, stating that the findings of the gambling supervisory authority will be made public once the investigation is complete.

In related developments within Hungary’s gambling sector, businessman István Garancsi has expanded his presence in the casino market. Following approval from the Hungarian Competition Authority, Garancsi acquired a majority stake in Sopron Casino, increasing his portfolio to seven venues nationwide. His holdings now include five casinos in Budapest, as well as locations in Sopron and Debrecen.

This expansion was made possible after the government led by Viktor Orbán raised the ownership cap, allowing a single entity to control up to seven casinos instead of the previous limit of five. Casinos in Miskolc, Győr, and Pécs remain outside Garancsi’s control.