Swiss Online Casino Legislation and Regulation
2024 is a big year for online gambling in Switzerland! On January 1, 2019, the Gambling Act came into force and the rules for online casinos have become stricter. This is good news for players, as it means they can enjoy safer and more reliable gambling. The new rules also aim to combat fraud and ensure that only the best and most reputable operators can offer their services in Switzerland.
Legal framework
The new law also allows Swiss land-based casinos to apply for online casino licences. Only casinos with a physical presence in Switzerland can apply for these online licences. At the same time, foreign operators without a Swiss licence aren’t allowed to offer services to Swiss players. To make sure this rule is followed, access to unlicensed sites is blocked at the internet provider level, effectively cutting off illegal activities.
It is also very important that operators take care of their customers and do not expose them to the risk of online gambling addiction or money laundering. Casinos should have all the necessary tools to help customers, such as limiting the amount of time they can bet or play, or giving customers the option to self-exclude themselves from gambling if they so choose.
Licensing Swiss online casinos
Licensing is a really important part of regulating online casinos in Switzerland. If you want to run an online casino in Switzerland, you need to get a licence from the Swiss Federal Gambling Board (ESBK). They only give out licences to operators that already have a land-based casino in Switzerland and meet certain requirements. Some big companies like Casino Zürichsee and Casino Davos, and platforms like Jackpots.ch and Casino777, have already got their online casino licences.
By November 2024, Switzerland will have given out licences to 15 online casinos, including big names like Mycasino.ch at Lucerne Casino and SwissCasinos.ch at St Gallen Casino. These casinos will only serve Swiss players and offer games in Swiss francs, making the gambling experience more rewarding for local users.
Economic impact
Since the legalization of online casinos, the Swiss gambling market has been growing steadily: the ESBK predicts that by 2024 online casino sales will amount to about 290 million Swiss francs, which is much more than at the beginning of the market development. As more and more people are interested in gambling and the range of games is constantly expanding, analysts predict that the market will reach CHF 400 million by 2025.
The huge growth of the market has also led to a big increase in tax revenues. Online casinos in Switzerland are taxed anywhere between 20% and 80% of their profits. In 2024, tax revenues from online casinos reached an impressive 130 million Swiss francs! This money has been used for social programmes and to tackle gambling addiction, which is a great example of how the market's growth is having a positive impact.
Oversight of online casinos in Switzerland
One of the best things about Swiss law is that it puts the consumer first. Casinos have to stick to the rules on responsible gambling. These rules don't just let players take control of their own gambling, they also require operators to step in if they suspect gambling addiction. For instance, casinos must keep an eye on their customers' gambling habits and alert them to potential risks. And there's more! If you require psychological or financial advice, you can access it. Swiss online casinos must also use the latest encryption and security technology to protect customers' information and financial transactions. This ensures players' money and personal details are safe, fostering a high level of security and trust.
The future of Swiss online casinos
The market is constantly growing and Swiss online casinos are developing their platforms and expanding the services they offer to players. More and more new games are appearing, including live casinos with real dealers, various slot machines and poker. Many casinos offer great bonuses and promotions to attract new customers and satisfy existing ones.
The online casino market’s likely to keep on growing. There’s a few reasons for this. One is the strict laws. Another is that Swiss players have a lot of trust in online casinos. They see them as a safe and regulated way to gamble. That’s why they’re so popular with locals.
The Swiss model of regulating online casinos is one of the best in Europe. It looks after both players and operators, and also makes a big contribution to the national economy.
Swiss Online Casino Statistics
Since online casinos were legalised in Switzerland in 2019, the number of players using these platforms has been growing steadily. Today, the Swiss are well into online gambling, shown by the rise in registered users and operator revenues. According to the Swiss Federal Gambling Board (ESBK), total revenue from online casinos in 2024 is set to hit about 290 million Swiss francs, reflecting the interest of the players. This figure’s gone up a fair bit compared to previous years, showing a steady trend of growth.
Who’s playing in Swiss online casinos?
According to a recent study, the average age of players in Swiss online casinos is around 35-45, with most users being men (about 70%). Women do play too, but in smaller numbers – around 30% of the total. Slot machines are still the most popular game, making up about 60% of all bets, followed by table games and live casinos.
There's also an interesting trend when it comes to how often people gamble. The study found that around 40% of players visit online casinos once or twice a month, while about 15% play every week. Interestingly, most players spend relatively small amounts on games, between 20 and 50 francs per visit. This shows that Swiss players are careful when it comes to gambling.
Big Wins and Jackpots in Swiss Online Casinos
Swiss online casinos are well-known for their impressive jackpots, and many players have hit big wins. In recent years, some of the biggest payouts have turned into real success stories.
Notable Wins
- In 2024, a player on the Jackpots.ch platform (Casino Zürichsee) won a progressive jackpot of 7.5 million Swiss francs. This was one of the largest in Swiss online casino history.
- In August 2024, a player won 1.2 million Swiss francs at Golden Star Casino, a hugely popular platform among the Swiss.
- In 2023, a player won 3 million francs on progressive slots at SwissCasinos.ch, sparking even more interest in these games.
Swiss Casino Progressive Jackpots
Online casinos in Switzerland are big on progressive jackpots. The more players bet across the casino or a network of casinos, the larger the prize pool gets. Normally, the starting amount for a jackpot is in the hundreds of thousands of francs, but as more games are played and bets are placed, it can grow into the millions.
Mega Moolah is one of the most well-known progressive jackpots in Switzerland. You can play it on lots of licensed platforms. It often offers jackpots of several million francs, and it's becoming more and more popular with Swiss players.
Swiss Online Casinos Predictions for 2025
Growth of the Gambling Industry
Experts think that by 2025, the total gambling market, including online gambling, will be worth between €2.8 and €3 billion. This is because there are going to be more licensed operators and technology is going to keep on getting better, especially when it comes to mobile apps and online platforms.
Number of Players
In 2024, online casinos attracted more than 2.3 million active players and this figure is expected to rise to between 2.5 and 2.7 million by 2025.
Average Player Expenditure
In 2024, the average player spent €50–70 per month, but by 2025, this figure could increase to €70–100.
Jackpots and Prizes
Progressive jackpot payouts in 2024 exceeded €40 million. The trend of high payouts on progressive jackpot slots like Mega Moolah and Hall of Gods is expected to continue. According to annual forecasts, this figure could rise to €50 million in 2025.
All in all, 2025 is set to be a great year for Swiss online casinos. They're going to keep on growing in popularity and player numbers, they're going to introduce new technologies and they're going to make their user protection measures even better.
