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Casino and gambling in Liechtenstein
Liechtenstein is a small but economically developed principality between Switzerland and Austria, which in recent years has become a new hotbed of European gambling.
Since the legalisation of gambling in 2016, the country has become a popular destination for tourists and investors.
Today, there are several licensed casinos, but online gambling remains illegal, making the market limited but stable.
Legislative framework
Gambling in Liechtenstein is regulated by the Geldspielgesetz (GSpG) law, which entered into force on January 1, 2011 and was updated in 2016.
These amendments finally allowed the activities of private casinos, abolishing the previous state ban.
Control over the industry is carried out by:- Amt für Volkswirtschaft (AVW) - National Economy Administration;
- Finanzmarktaufsicht Liechtenstein (FMA) - Principality Financial Authority, which oversees licensing and financial control;
- Staatliche Spielbankenkommission - Gaming commission authorized to issue casino permits and monitor their activities.
- all casinos must obtain a state license;
- access of persons under 18 years old is prohibited;
- advertising of gambling without a license is prohibited;
- all income is subject to strict tax control;
- online gambling and interactive betting are still prohibited.
Development of the gambling sector
Until 2016, no casinos existed in Liechtenstein.
After the liberalization of legislation, the country experienced a real gambling boom.
The first institution - Casino Admiral Ruggell - opened in 2017 and became a successful project of the Austrian holding Novomatic Group.
New casinos in the cities followed:- Casino Schaanwald,
- Casino Admiral Triesen,
- Grand Casino Liechtenstein (Bendern),
- Casino Eschen,
- Casino Balzers (scheduled to open).
For 2025, the principality has 6 licensed casinos, most of which are owned by large international operators (Admiral, Casinos Austria, Grand Casino Group).
These establishments attract tourists from Switzerland, Austria and Germany, where the legislation is stricter.
Online gambling
Online casinos are officially banned in Liechtenstein.
The Geldspielgesetz law provides for the possibility of legalization in the future, but at the moment digital licenses are not issued.
Residents of the principality can play in foreign online casinos, but these sites are not regulated by local authorities.
At the same time, the government is actively discussing the idea of creating licenses for online gambling on the model of Malta and Switzerland.
Popular foreign sites among players:- LeoVegas, Unibet, Betsson, Casumo, Stake, PokerStars, Bet365.
However, their activities in Liechtenstein are formally considered "unregulated."
Taxation
The gambling business is a source of stable income for the budget of the principality.
The Ministry of Finance estimates that the gambling sector generates about CHF 40 million in tax revenue annually, equivalent to 3-4% of the country's budget.
Control and Responsible Gaming
All casinos are required to adhere to strict responsible gambling standards.
The regulator requires operators to implement systems to prevent dependence:- mandatory identification of each player upon entry;
- setting limits on bets and losses;
- the possibility of temporary or lifelong self-exclusion;
- training of personnel on Responsible Gaming programs;
- Monitor customer behavior with CRM and analytics
Players showing signs of addiction can be entered into a single restriction register available to all casinos in the country.
Economic importance
Gambling became a prominent element of the economy of the principality, along with banking and industry.
According to the government (2024):- the total turnover of the gambling industry is about CHF 250 million per year;
- tax revenues - CHF 40 million;
- the sector employs over 500 people;
- more than 80% of casino customers are foreigners.
The principality became the "mini Las Vegas of Central Europe," while maintaining strict control and transparency.
Payment methods and finance
Casinos in Liechtenstein operate in euros and Swiss francs, supporting international payment standards:- Visa, MasterCard, Maestro;
- bank transfers (SEPA, SWIFT);
- Skrill, Neteller e-wallets;
- prepaid cards and vouchers;
- cryptocurrencies - not officially accepted, but considered for future legalization.
Challenges and challenges
Despite its success, the market faces a number of challenges:- oversaturation - there are 6 casinos per 38,000 inhabitants;
- criticism from locals concerned about the growth of gambling tourism;
- lack of online licenses, limiting the development of the digital segment;
- the need to integrate the EU AML and ESG standards.
In 2024, the government began revaluing licenses and discussing a moratorium on the opening of new casinos in order to stabilize the market.
Development prospects
The main directions of reforms for 2025-2027:1. Creating a legal framework for online gambling;
2. Increasing transparency and tax reporting;
3. Development of Responsible Gaming and international cooperation (Switzerland, Austria, Germany);
4. Implementation of AML systems and artificial intelligence to monitor operations;
5. Ability to license crypto and Web3 casinos as part of pilot programs.
If the government approves digital licenses, Liechtenstein could become Central Europe's new iGaming technology hub, combining offline class and online innovation.
Liechtenstein is an example of a country that in a short time has created a high-quality and regulated casino market aimed at European players.
Although online gambling is not yet available, the state is showing a willingness to legalize it.
Thanks to strict control, transparency and moderate taxation, Liechtenstein is becoming an important player in the European gambling industry, combining financial stability and gambling tourism with alpine accuracy.
