It was recently reported that Hungarian lawmakers are planning on regulating clubs and tax poker winnings to generate more funds for the country. A newspaper in Germany has reported that the country is experiencing the worst economic crisis since the end of communism and desperately need the revenues the change would create.

Peter Traply is the first Hungarian to win a World Series of Poker bracelet and he has commented that poker has really grown in Hungary. Laszlo Keller the Finance State Secretary for Hungary sees the growth too and wants the government to get their share of the poker industry. Keller has now proposed legislation that will regulate and tax poker.

"Casinos are already paying concession fees to the state," he explained. "I know that poker players say their situation is different because they view themselves as sportspeople, not as gamblers, like a casino. Parliament should determine the status of poker. I expect that to happen soon."




- 2009-10-27