Switzerland - casinos as part of the tourism industry
Swiss casinos aren't just about gaming. It is part of a tourism ecosystem where premium infrastructure, mountain resorts and cultural events form a steady flow of guests year-round. Thanks to the "online via ground license" model, offline sites remain centers of attraction: they combine gastronomy, hotels, conferences, wellness and an event calendar.
1) The role of casinos in the tourism ecosystem
City anchors. Casinos become "points of attraction" for evening activity near waterfronts, old centers and cultural venues.
Synergy with MICE. Conferences, corporate receptions, poker series and themed weekends raise hotel occupancy outside of peak dates.
Brand omnichannel. An offline visit motivates a licensed operator to travel again and participate in online activities (loyalty, statuses, missions).
Cultural integration. Joint exhibitions, concerts, gastronomic weeks, partnerships with museums and festivals.
2) Geography and travel scenarios
Zurich (urban luxury). Casino night + fine dining + shopping at Bahnhofstrasse; in the afternoon - museums and a lake walk.
Geneva (international agenda). Conventions and diplomatic events, evening gala dinners and live game rooms.
Lugano (Italian-speaking flavor). Combo "lake - gastronomy - casino," cross-border tourism with Italy.
Baden (wellness + Jackpots. ch). Historical baths, day spa ritual and evening casino/event zone visit.
St. Moritz/Davos (Alpine resorts). Winter sports, seasonal tournaments and club nights; in summer - hiking and gastronomic festivals.
Interlaken/Zug/Basel. Excursion clusters and business tourism: day meetings, in the evening - board games and show programs.
3) Food "packaging" for tourists
Bundle packages. Hotel night + tasting dinner + casino entrance/event + spa/transport card (SBB/local passes).
Theme of the seasons. Winter - "alpine" parties and poker series; summer - open-air scenes, terraces overlooking the lakes.
Gastronomy. Menu with local products: fondue/raclette, chocolate tastings, set dinners with wine of the cantons of Valais/Ticino.
Wellness & slow travel. Daytime baths, massages, evening show tables; focus on recovery and soft rhythm.
4) Economic contribution and employment
Direct jobs. Dealers, pit bosses, security, F&B, event management, IT/BI, marketing, compliance.
Indirect effect. Hotels, restaurants, transport, event equipment, production, local farmers and artisans.
Multiplier. Package sales and event calendar increase the average check and length of guest stay.
5) Responsible play and track record
RG standards. 18 + age tolerance, deposit/time/loss limits, timeout/self-exclusion, transparent bonus rules.
Transparent communication. Risk and policy information is available at DE/FR/IT/EN; lack of "dark patterns."
Balance entertainment. The program of the visit is built around gastronomy, culture and wellness, not just play.
6) 24/48 hour routes (example)
Zurich - 24 hours:- morning - Kunsthaus/old town → day - lake cruise → evening - dinner-tasting → night visit to the casino (roulette/live show).
- day 1 - walk along the embankment, chocolate manufactory, dinner in the grotto → casino;
- day 2 - trip to Montebrè/San Salvatore, spa and cocktail bar with a view.
7) Partnerships and Distribution
DMO/OTAs/Congress Bureau. Joint event calendars, MICE quotas, target DACH/Italy/Benelux markets.
Railway and air carriers. Branded rates + vouchers for welcome-drinks/game shows.
Hotels and restaurants. Cross-promo, joint set dinners, late check-out for guests of evening events.
Culture and sports. Festivals, exhibitions, cycling and trail events as "daytime" magnets, casinos - "evening" anchor.
8) ESG and sustainability
Energy saving. LED lighting, heat saving in the halls, optimization of live studio broadcasts.
Local providers. Products from the cantons, support for artisans and winemakers, reducing the carbon footprint of logistics.
Inclusivity. Availability of halls and programs for guests with disabilities, multilingual support, safe transport at night.
Reporting. Publication of metrics on waste, energy, local purchases, RG indicators.
9) Practical recommendations for operators
1. Calendar 12 × 12. For each month - a flagship event (gastro-fest, poker series, jazz-evening, art-night).
2. Smart-bundles. 3 levels of packages (Classic/Signature/VIP) with different service depths and table limits.
3. Multilingual content. DE/FR/IT/EN-landing, clear dress code/etiquette rules and one-click RG block.
4. Mobile-UX. Maps, schedules, table/restaurant reservations, time and limit push reminders.
5. Partnerships with museums/philharmonic societies. Combo tickets and night tours.
6. Night-transport. Taxi/ride-hailing contracts, safe routes, vouchers for late guests.
10) Horizon 2026-2030: where "casino tourism" is heading
Immersive live scenes. Chamber concerts and theatrical shows in casino halls.
Data and personalization under RG control. Package and event recommendations without pressure on vulnerable groups.
Alpine aesthetics in live formats. Studios with panoramic backdrops and multilingual moderation.
Seasonal urban clusters. Winter series in ski regions and summer gastro festivals near lakes.
More green packets. Combo with electric trains/cables, compensation for the carbon footprint of the trip.
Casinos in Switzerland are a full-fledged element of the tourism industry. They increase the attractiveness of cities and resorts, create jobs, extend guest stays and shape the cultural agenda. The combination of premium infrastructure, responsible approach and smart omnichannel makes the Swiss model the standard of "entertainment with the character of the country" - with benefits for the economy, guests and local communities.