Crypto Casino
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Hard blocking of illegal sites
1) Short (TL; DR)
Since 2019, Switzerland has consistently cut off access to unlicensed online games: the casino segment oversees ESBK, lotteries/betting - Gespa. Both bodies form block lists that are required to be executed by communication providers. The "only local licensee + B2B partnerships" model is reinforced by moderate advertising policies and strict RG/AML standards. The result is a high level of sewage demand in the "white" sector.
2) Legal support
The modern "umbrella" frame of money games has been operating since 2019.
ESBK is responsible for casinos and online casinos; Gespa - for lotteries, sports betting and skill games (including online).
The law explicitly allows blocking access to unlicensed sites and applying sanctions to violators, including advertising platforms and intermediaries.
3) Who forms the block lists and how
ESBK maintains and updates a list of illegal casino sites.
Gespa - similar in lotteries/bets.
Both authorities regularly publish and update lists of domains/resources; telecom operators are required to technically restrict access to these domains.
4) Technical limitation mechanisms
DNS blocking of domain names with redirection to the violation information page.
IP and URL filtering for bypass mirrors and CDN patterns.
Tracking infrastructure changes (new domains, subnets, mirrors), fast incremental updating of lists.
Interaction with application stores: requirements for removing applications leading to illegal services.
5) Why it works
Unified architecture: law + two specialized regulators, a clear delimitation of powers.
Mandatory for communication providers: block lists are not a "recommendation," but a requirement.
Discreet advertising: it is more difficult for illegal immigrants to receive traffic through public channels.
The legal sector has a tough RG/AML: players see the advantages of "white" operators (protection, fast and transparent payments).
6) The role of advertising and payment intermediaries
Misleading offers and promos of unlicensed sites are prohibited.
Marketplaces, media networks, affiliates and payment providers are required to terminate cooperation with illegal immigrants by order of supervision.
A steady trend is the "de-energization" of illegal immigrants through the rupture of advertising and payment channels.
7) Liability and sanctions
Prescriptions and fines for violators; for systematic cases - escalation to blocking, product line restrictions or other measures.
For legal operators - sanctions for non-compliance with RG/AML/advertising rules.
For telecom and platforms - responsibility for non-fulfillment of block lists or placement of illegal advertising.
8) Impact on players
Explanatory pages, when trying to enter a blocked domain, inform about risks and legal alternatives.
In the "white" perimeter, the player receives: verification of age and personality, limits and self-exclusion, transparent bonus conditions, protected payments and understandable support.
Recommendation to players: check for a Swiss license (online casinos - only ground licensees with an extension).
9) Practice for operators and partners (checklist)
Jura Circuit: any marketing activities to a Swiss audience - only in conjunction with a licensed operator.
Traffic: strict geo filtering, exclusion of "gray" sources, audit of affiliates.
Technologies: mirror monitoring, incident response, correct application labeling.
Communications: moderate tonality, visible RG messages, honest T&C and vager.
Data and payments: KYC before admission, AML scenarios, segregation of funds, transparent SLA payments.
10) Typical bypass schemes and countermeasures
Mirrors/new domains → regular krauls and operational additions to block lists.
VPN/proxy → behavioral analytics, risk triggers, additional verification requests.
Mobile launcher applications → interaction with the side, removal and prohibition of updates; signals to advertising networks.
11) Performance metrics for oversight
The share of traffic to illegal resources (according to telecom operators/analytics) is a falling trend.
The time from domain discovery to blocking is day/week, depending on the complexity of the case.
The proportion of player complaints about payment delays/opaque conditions is significantly lower in the licensed sector.
The level of awareness of legal alternatives is growing thanks to information pages and RG communications.
12) Until 2030: What to expect
Synchronization with payment and advertising ecosystems (faster to block illegal monetization channels and traffic purchases).
More nuanced behavioral analytics to identify VPN activity and high-risk patterns.
Uniform standards of promo transparency: templates for disclosing bonus terms and responsible messages.
Raising the technological bar for the legal sector (RNG/IS audits, SOC monitoring, IR plans as normal).
13) The bottom line
The Swiss approach is not point raids, but systemic market hygiene: a clear legal framework, two competent authorities (ESBK and Gespa), mandatory block lists for communication providers, the discipline of advertising and payments, a high RG/AML standard. This makes it expensive and unprofitable for illegal sites to maintain a presence, and players get safe and predictable legal alternatives.