What Are the Restrictions to Gamble in Switzerland?

‘Gambling’ or ‘Online Gambling’ has been popular among Swiss players who seek thrill, adventure, and big wins while playing strategic games of chance. To make the gaming experience safer for the general public and benefit the government through tax collection, the Swiss government launched strict and more defined gambling laws, AMG, in 2019.

The Federal Act on Money Games (AMG) replaced the term ‘Gambling’ with more legislative and inclusive terminology, ‘Money Games’, to redefine the online casino restrictions and make regulated online gambling legal and safe in Switzerland.

Earlier, players could only access Swiss online casino based in other countries, as local Swiss casinos were not allowed to operate online gambling. It drained millions of Swiss Francs out of the country without generating any revenue for the government.

Online Gambling Laws in Switzerland

The online gambling laws in Switzerland grant the concerned Swiss authorities the power to tax online gambling sites and block the sites that could not be taxed under The Federal Act on Money Games.

AMG made it illegal for foreign online casino operators to make their platform accessible to players within Switzerland. The authorities have curated a list of blacklisted foreign gambling sites restricted from operating and accepting bets from Swiss players.

Moreover, the government of Switzerland keeps continuously revising the blacklist to ensure the proper reinforcement of the gambling laws or AMG.

Restrictions on Online Gambling in Switzerland

These are some of the restrictions posed by the Swiss authorities on online gambling in Switzerland:

• Restrictions in Terms of Definitions
  AMG differentiates ‘large-scale’ games from ‘small-scale’ games. Large-scale games render inclusion to automated or online sports betting, lotteries, and skill games. In contrast, small-scale games include lotteries, skill games, and sports betting that aren’t online or automated. Regarding e-sports (competitive sports for prizes), Gespa (The Swiss Gambling Supervisory Authority) remarks that a general definition or an overall qualification for e-sports could not be provided under the gaming act.
• Gambling Policy
  Under the gambling policy, it has been established that persuading people to gamble would not be illegal. Gambling is permitted within the land with the strict observance of regulations, and the players are expected to contribute some parts of the winning amount to society or the federal retirement fund.
• Policy for State-run and Private Gambling Enterprises
  Local land-based gambling enterprises can operate online games, but international enterprises can not function independently. However, foreign Gambling operators can team up as business partners with local casinos and lotteries.
• Fines and Punishments for Defaulters Under the Swiss Criminal Law
  Criminal persecution laws are applicable in the case of unlicensed domestic as well as foreign gaming operations and advertisements.

Legal and Regulatory Gambling Authorities in Switzerland

• ESBK
  It serves as the regulating body for casino online games.
• Gespa (The Swiss Gambling Supervisory Authority)
  It is the inter-cantonal regulating body for skill games, sports betting, and lottery.
• Federal Department of Justice and Police
  This department holds overall supervision, power, and surveillance related to gambling or money games.

Remote Gambling Parameters for International B2B and B2C Operators

International B2B and B2C operators need to fulfill specific legal requirements to operate in Switzerland, like:

• Good reputation criteria for B2C operators
• Fit and Proper Test for B2B Operators or Poker Collaborations
• Skill gaming operators seeking independent online licenses need to have an establishment in Switzerland

However, the international business partners of local operators do not need to have an establishment in Switzerland.

Final Thoughts

Over the years, the online gaming and gambling situation has remarkably changed in Switzerland, given the introduction of the Gaming Law in 2019. Earlier, Switzerland was one of the most unregulated gambling markets for foreign operators, with no possibilities for local or domestic operators in the online gambling scene. But now, Swiss operators, lotteries, and casinos offer various online sports betting, lottery, casino, and poker games.

Detailed knowledge of online gambling regulations and restrictions would help local and international operators and Swiss players access online gaming opportunities in Switzerland.