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Online casinos in Switzerland
Switzerland is a country with a rich casino tradition and one of the most developed systems of state control in Europe. Here, gambling is legalized, but strictly regulated, and online gambling is allowed only to licensed Swiss operators associated with land-based casinos. Thanks to transparency, control and technological adaptation, Switzerland has become a benchmark for safe and responsible gambling.
Legislative framework
The modern regulation of gambling in Switzerland is determined by the Money Gaming Act, which came into force on January 1, 2019.
This law replaced the previous regulations - Casino Act (1998) and Lottery Act (1923), combining them into a single structure.
The main principles of the new law:- gambling is allowed only under state control;
- online gambling is allowed only for operators with a ground casino license;
- foreign sites without a Swiss license are subject to blocking;
- part of the income from gambling is directed to the pension and social funds of the country.
- Eidgenössische Spielbankenkommission (ESBK) - Federal Casino Commission (casino and online gambling oversight);
- Gespa (formerly Comlot) - Lottery and Betting Commission (regulates lotteries, sports betting and online draws).
Licensing
A license in Switzerland can only be issued to an operator with a valid land-based casino in the country.
To obtain online permission, the operator must:- be registered in Switzerland;
- prove financial stability and absence of offshore interests;
- use certified software (RNG and live games must be tested by independent laboratories);
- Protect your data with the Federal Data Protection Act
- Integrate responsible play tools (limits, self-locks, loss control)
The license is valid for 20 years, after which an update and re-audit are required.
Taxation
The Swiss tax system is one of the most understandable and sustainable in Europe.
Casinos pay up to 40% Gross Revenue Tax (GGR), depending on profit levels;
Online operators - 20% to 80% GGR, with a progressive scale;
Players are exempt from taxation of winnings in licensed casinos (for lotteries and bets, the CHF 1 million limit applies).
Collected taxes are sent to the AHV/AVS pension fund and to finance social programs.
Online gambling in Switzerland
Since 2019, online gambling has been officially allowed.
However, the market is limited: only operators who already have offline casinos are licensed.
Largest legal online casinos:- Jackpots. ch - (Casino Baden), the first licensed online casino in the country;
- MyCasino. ch - (Grand Casino Luzern), one of the market leaders;
- SwissCasinos. ch — (St. Gallen и Zürich);
- 7Melons. ch — (Casino Bern);
- StarVegas. ch — (Casino Interlaken);
- Casino777. ch - (Casino Davos, partner of Microgaming);
- Pasino. ch — (Casino du Lac Genève).
All of these platforms operate under ESBK control and undergo annual audits.
Foreign sites without a license are blocked by Internet providers by decision of the regulator.
Land-based casinos
Switzerland is known for its network of high-end casinos operating in tourist and business centers.
There are 21 licensed casinos in the country, divided into categories:- Class A - large casinos with an unlimited number of games (Baden, Lucerne, Zurich, Bern, Basel, St. Moritz);
- Class B - regional casinos with a limited number of machines.
- Grand Casino Baden,
- Casino Zürich,
- Casino St. Moritz,
- Casino Lugano,
- Casino Interlaken,
- Casino Montreux,
- Casino Bern.
Many of them now work online, retaining the corporate identity and Swiss level of service.
Popular games and player preferences
The Swiss prefer quality and safe gaming platforms with a guarantee of honesty.
Most in demand:- video slots and jackpots from Playtech, NetEnt, Greentube, Pragmatic Play;
- roulette, blackjack and baccarat (including live versions);
- poker (in the format of tournaments and video poker);
- sports betting - through legal platforms controlled by Gespa;
- national lotteries and EuroMillions.
Mobile gambling is actively growing: more than 75% of players prefer smartphones and tablets.
Payment methods
The main currency is the Swiss franc (CHF).
Licensed operators only support secure payment systems:- Visa, MasterCard, Maestro;
- Twint - national mobile payment system;
- PostFinance is a popular Swiss online bank;
- Skrill, Neteller, PayPal;
- Paysafecard;
- SEPA bank transfers.
Cryptocurrencies are not allowed in licensed casinos, but Switzerland is actively considering the prospect of integrating blockchain technologies for transaction transparency.
Responsible play
The Swiss gambling model is based on player protection.
Key principles:- minimum age - 18 years;
- mandatory registration and identity verification;
- limits on deposits, losses and playing time;
- the possibility of self-exclusion (Selbstsperre) - the player can block himself in all casinos in the country;
- mandatory risk notifications and time limits;
- collaboration with SafeZone organizations. ch, Radix, SpielSuchtInfo.
ESBK and Gespa conduct regular checks, and violators are fined up to the revocation of the license.
Economic importance
Gambling brings Switzerland stable revenues:- in 2023, the total turnover of the industry exceeded CHF 1.2 billion,
- about 60% of revenue came from the online segment;
- tax revenues amounted to CHF 400 million, of which 90% was directed to the pension fund.
The Swiss market is considered small in size, but one of the most profitable in terms of the quality of regulation and player confidence.
Challenges and challenges
Despite its success, the sector faces a number of challenges:- a limited number of licenses deter competition;
- offshore sites continue to attract users with more flexible bonuses;
- the ban on crypto payments narrows the young audience;
- increasing requirements for responsible gambling increase the costs of operators.
However, the government plans to further digitalize the industry, as well as the possible introduction of "international" EU-level licenses.
Development prospects
Switzerland sees gambling as part of a regulated digital economy.
The main directions of development:- implementation of AI monitoring for early detection of addiction;
- expanding cooperation with European regulators (Malta Gaming Authority, KSA, BGC);
- partial legalization of crypto payments under the control of FINMA;
- increasing transparency of online casinos using blockchain technologies;
- development of mobile live casinos and hybrid entertainment formats.
Thanks to strict standards, social responsibility and digital innovation, Switzerland remains one of the most reliable and respected jurisdictions in Europe - where gambling combines Swiss quality, transparency and stability.
