Swiss Federal Gaming Act

1) Context and why a "new frame" was needed

Until 2019, the regulation of gambling in Switzerland relied on two key pillars of the 20th century: the lottery/betting law (1923) and the casino law (1998). The growth of digital services required a single "umbrella" framework that:

legalizes online casinos in a controlled format, provides a high standard of player protection, preserves the public mission of lotteries and bets, and blocks the gray market by blocking unlicensed sites.

This function is performed by Federal Act on Money Games (2019) - a modern version of the Swiss regulation of "money games."

2) Purposes and principles of the law

Consumer protection and public interest. The priority is safety, responsibility, prevention of addiction, honesty of games and combating fraud.

Channeling demand into the "white" sector. Offering online and offline games - only through licensed operators.

Consistency and coordination. Uniform standards for technology infrastructure, AML/KYC, online and offline advertising and RG.

3) Who is responsible for what: oversight architecture

Federal level (ESBK). The Federal Casino Commission is responsible for licenses and oversight of casinos and online casinos (integrity audits, RG procedures, AML/KYC, sanctions).

Cantons (through the intercantonal organ - Gespa). Responsible for lotteries and sports bets (including online), distribute receipts for sports, culture and social projects.

Coordination. The law enshrines the interaction of the federation and the cantons so that online/offline segments work synchronously.

4) Online casinos: how are allowed and what are required

Who can go online. Only operating land-based casinos with a federal license that have been expanded to online.

Approval of games and providers. Each game undergoes an integrity and technical safety assessment; involvement of external providers - under supervision.

Game bills and access control. Registered accounts, verification of age and personality, geofiltration, mechanisms of self-exclusion and limits are required.

Technical circuit. Strict requirements for data storage/processing, logging, RNG/game audit, stability and information security controls.

5) Lotteries and bets: public mission and "figure"

Cantons and Gespa regulate lotteries and betting, including online formats.

Socially useful purpose. Net revenues are directed to sports, culture and social programs - the historical Swiss principle of "public dividend."

Uniform RG/AML standards. Digital sales, online accounts, age and behavior control - under the same high requirements.

6) Responsible Gaming: The must-have "framework"

Self-exclusion and limits. Self-control tools are mandatory, interventions are recorded and checked.

Behavioral monitoring. Operators identify risk patterns, inform players, reduce the intensity of the game and suspend access if necessary.

Staff training and transparent communication. Clear rules, clear tips on risks, background information and help.

7) AML/KYC and Compliance

Identification of the customer prior to admission to the game/payments. Verification of identity and age is unconditional.

Transaction monitoring. Scenarios for anomalies, sources of funds, thresholds and reporting.

Procedures and audit. Policies, logs, role accesses, regular checks and tests.

8) Advertising, bonuses and communication

Ban on targeting vulnerable groups and minors.

The requirement of truthfulness and moderation. You cannot promise "easy wins" or hide risks.

Bonus mechanics - transparent. Betting/vager conditions, restrictions and deadlines - in an explicit, understandable form.

9) Blocking unlicensed sites

Legal blocking mechanism. Carriers are required to restrict access to platforms that do not have a Swiss license.

Unified register of prohibition. Supports the "sewerage" of demand for proven, consumer-safe services.

10) Taxes and distribution of revenues (in general terms)

Casino tax with GGR. A progressive scale for land and online casinos, a significant part of the proceeds goes to AHV (state pension insurance).

Lotteries/wagering. Proceeds are directed to public purposes through cantonal mechanisms.

Player taxes. Winnings at licensed casinos are traditionally discounted; for lotteries/bets, there is an increased threshold of non-taxable minimum (the reform of 2019 made it significantly higher than the previous one). The specific tax situation depends on the type of game and the player's status.

11) Technical standards and safety

Game integrity. RNG/slot certification, paytable control, manipulation tests.

Cybersecurity. WAF/DDoS protection, segmentation of environments, key management, event monitoring (SIEM), response plans (IR).

Data reliability. Logs, redundancy, configuration change control, regular external audits.

12) Enforcement and sanctions

Inspections and investigations. Supervisory authorities carry out control measures, require the elimination of violations.

Sanctions. From prescriptions and fines to suspension/revocation of permits.

Public reporting. The practice of publishing measures disciplines the market and increases the confidence of players.

13) Transition 2019-2021: How it was implemented

Waves of online venue approvals for already licensed land-based casinos.

Stabilization of the block list of unlicensed sites and alignment of advertising practices to the new standards.

Debugging RG processes and embedding behavioral analytics in operational contours.

14) What it means for key stakeholders

Casino operators. The ability to work online, subject to the highest compliance and technical maturity.

Lottery/betting organizers. Expanding digital channels while maintaining community mission.

Players. Clear rules, protected payments, self-control tools, a clear line between the "white" and "gray" markets.

State/cantons. Predictable admissions and social effect at controlled risk.

15) Where the model is headed (briefly about the horizon until 2030)

Data-driven RG gain. More behavior analytics, personalized interventions.

Technological unification. Standards for the safety and integrity of games are even tougher, more audit automation.

Point digital innovations. Development of live verticals, strict framework for any "new" payment instruments.

Zero tolerance for the "gray" market. The lockout register and oversight coordination will remain key tools.

16) The bottom line

Swiss Federal Gaming Act (2019) enshrined the Swiss "quality formula": legal online only as a continuation of a strict offline license, a high standard of player protection and compliance, public revenue benefits and technical discipline in every detail. This is not "maximizing volume," but maximizing trust, due to which the market remains stable and culturally "inscribed" in Switzerland.