Online Casinos in Switzerland

The Legal Position

Online casino play is regulated in Switzerland, by a deliberately narrow route. The Federal Gaming Board states that "Since 1 January 2019, the casinos in Switzerland have been permitted under the Gambling Act to offer online gambling", and that "For this they require a licence extension, which is granted by the Federal Council." A licence extension is not the end of it: "In addition to a licence extension, they also require a permit from the FGB for each game they offer, before they begin operating online." The practical effect is that only an existing Swiss land-based casino can run a licensed online casino - the Board puts it as "Swiss casinos can offer casino games such as roulette and poker online."

The Law

The framework is the Gambling Act (GamblA): "The Gambling Act (GamblA) and its implementing ordinances came into force on 1 January 2019, following its approval by almost 73% of voters in a referendum." The Act divides gambling into three categories, each with its own authority. Small-scale games - small poker tournaments, local sports betting, small lotteries - "are licensed and supervised by the cantonal authorities". Large-scale games, meaning "lotteries, sports betting and games of skill", "are licensed and supervised by the Intercantonal Gambling Supervisory Authority (Gespa)". Casino games - "games that are based on chance, such as roulette, blackjack, poker, punto banco (baccarat) and slot machines" - sit federally: "Casino licences are issued by the Federal Council, while operating licences are issued by the FGB, which is also responsible for the oversight of casinos." Gespa's own site confirms the split, recording that casino games "belong in the jurisdiction of the Confederation and are thus the responsibility of the Federal Gaming Board FGB".

The Regulator

The Federal Gaming Board - Eidgenössische Spielbankenkommission in German, Commission fédérale des maisons de jeu in French - describes itself as "the oversight authority for casinos" and as "an independent authority", administratively attached to the Federal Department of Justice and Police. Its German page puts the same remit as "Die ESBK ist Aufsichtsbehörde über die Spielbanken und überwacht die Einhaltung der spielbankenrechtlichen Vorschriften und der Konzessionsbestimmungen." Casino licences themselves run long: "The Federal Council determines the number of licences available and grants them for a period of 20 years", and "In 2023, the Federal Council awarded new licences for the period from 1 January 2025 until 2044."

Blocking of Unlicensed Sites

Network blocking is written into the Act rather than left to practice. "According to the law, access to online gambling sites must be blocked if they are operating in Switzerland without a licence, or if the operator of these sites is based abroad or conceals its location." The Board maintains the list - "The FGB regularly publishes a list of illegal casino sites to which access is blocked" - and enforcement falls on carriers: "Swiss internet providers must enforce these access restrictions by preventing access to the relevant websites from Switzerland." Gespa maintains a separate blocklist for the platforms within its own remit. The Board also records the position of players rather than operators: "Players in Switzerland who gamble on unauthorised online gambling platforms are not liable to prosecution under the Gambling Act. However, they play at their own risk."

Gambling Bans and Support

Switzerland runs a national register of gambling bans. "Gambling operators who impose a gambling ban on a player must enter the player's name in a central register", and once entered "the ban applies throughout Switzerland and, since 7 January 2025, the Principality of Liechtenstein." Its reach covers online play: "Players who are subject to a gambling ban are excluded from all land-based and online casino games and from large-scale online games such as SwissLos and EuroMillions." Players can ask for a ban themselves - "Players have the option of having themselves banned from gambling at any time" - and the Board reports that "In 2025, casinos added 16,429 gambling bans to the register of bans." The Board does not hold the register itself and cannot lift an individual ban.

For counselling, the SOS Gambling Addiction service describes itself as "a collaborative project of 17 German-speaking cantons" and prints a telephone line on 0800 040 080, free, anonymous and available around the clock. The service is explicit that it operates in German: "If you speak German, you can call our helpline anonymously and get professional help." The Federal Gaming Board also lists national and cantonal advisory centres on its player protection page.