Switzerland is a country with strict regulation of gambling, which directly affects Swiss players' access to international online casinos, such as Golden Star Casino. In this article, we will examine whether Swiss players can use the services of this online casino, what particularities the gambling law in Switzerland has, and which licences are accepted for legal activities.
Golden Star Casino and its Licence
Golden Star Casino is an international online casino that targets a global audience and offers a variety of gambling games: slot machines, table games, live casinos, and much more. This casino operates on the basis of a licence issued by Curaçao, which is a common practice for many online casinos.
The licence from Curaçao allows the casino to offer its services in most countries; however, it does not meet the strict requirements of Swiss legislation. This means that players of Golden Star Casino, just like those at other casinos with a Curaçao licence, cannot be protected by Swiss laws. In the worst case, the Swiss government may block access to this casino site to protect local interests and the monopoly of land-based casinos.
Can Players from Switzerland Play at Golden Star Casino?
The Golden Star Casino is open to players from Switzerland, Germany, Austria, and Belgium. Formally, Swiss players can play at the online casino Golden Star, but since Golden Star has a licence from another jurisdiction, Swiss law cannot protect its players in the event of disputes. This is, however, the case in most countries worldwide.
In practice, if a player from Switzerland finds a way to bypass blocks (for example, by using a VPN), they can register and play at the casino without fearing any legal consequences.
If you have difficulties with the Golden Star Casino Login, we have written an article that helps you gain access to the Golden Star Casino login page.
Regulation of Gambling in Switzerland
Since 1 January 2019, a new gambling law has come into effect in Switzerland – the Swiss Gambling Act, or Money Games Act. The main aim of this legislation is to enhance control over gambling, protect players, and restrict access to unlicensed international online casinos. The law introduced several key provisions:
- Gambling Monopoly: In Switzerland, only land-based casinos with a Swiss licence have the right to offer online games. They must meet strict requirements set by the regulatory authorities.
- Blocking Illegal Websites: The Swiss government has the right to block casino websites that do not have a Swiss licence. This affects international casinos that may be popular in other countries but do not meet local legal requirements.
- Licensing and Taxation: All online casinos wishing to serve Swiss players must obtain a licence from the Swiss regulatory authorities. Winnings are taxed if they exceed a certain amount.
Types of Licences and Their Comparison
Swiss Licence: In order to offer their services in Switzerland, a casino must obtain a licence from the Federal Gaming Commission (ESBK) or the Cantonal Lottery and Betting Commission (Comlot). These licences are only awarded to land-based casinos operating in Switzerland. They are controlled by the state, and access to their online platforms is available only to Swiss citizens.
Curaçao Licence: This is one of the most commonly used international licences for online casinos. It offers operators flexible conditions, but a lower level of regulation compared to Swiss standards. Casinos operating under a Curaçao licence can offer their services in many countries, but face access problems in countries with strict laws, such as Switzerland.
Malta Licence: A licence from the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) is among the most respected and stringent in the world. Casinos operating under an MGA licence have high standards of security, fairness, and data protection. However, it also does not provide automatic access for Swiss players if the casino does not have a local licence.
Swiss players face significant restrictions when attempting to play in international online casinos like Golden Star Casino due to the strict regulation of gambling in the country. The Curaçao licence under which Golden Star operates does not allow the casino to legally offer its services in Switzerland.
Formally, players from Switzerland can play in international online casinos like Golden Star Casino if they find ways to circumvent possible blocks, such as using a VPN. However, it is important to understand that such casinos operate on the basis of foreign licences (like the licence from Curaçao), which means there is no protection under Swiss law.
In the event of disputes or problems with payouts, Swiss players cannot count on support from local regulatory authorities, which significantly increases the risks.
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