Switzerland’s Online Gambling Market Hits Its Limit: 10th Licence Is Issued

Integration of Land-Based and Online Businesses

Access to the Swiss iGaming niche is tightly regulated under the Federal Act on Gambling (Geldspielgesetz). Applicants must 1st secure a casino licence to operate a physical venue in a designated region and prove long-term business sustainability before expanding into the digital realm.

Casino Locarno fully complies with these conditions: it has been active on the market since 2002 and possesses the operational foundation to facilitate its online growth. In 2022, the Baden Group obtained the property, thereby further accelerating its development. The brand is well-versed in a regulated environment: in 2019, the parent firm launched Casino Baden, Switzerland’s 1st legal website.

Against this backdrop, the rollout of CasiNeo.ch will broaden the group’s online footprint and is anticipated to notably reinforce its standing in the local market.

The authority’s latest actions suggest a gradual easing of its stance towards industry development. Previously, the regulator opened an additional certification window, which allowed Admiral.ch to enter the jurisdiction. This Novomatic-owned platform was launched in collaboration with Casino Mendrisio.

Rigorous Approach for Improved Supervision

The FGB maintains strict oversight of the entire iGaming vertical, carefully monitoring every online product — from slot titles to tabletop formats.

Although communication with the industry has become more open, the authority does not plan to alter the main restriction: the total number of permit holders remains capped at 10. Meanwhile, the standards for operators continue to be highly demanding.

Licensees must conduct thorough checks of their clients, verifying factors such as:

• age;
• residence;
• tax obligation status.

Thus, the domestic online gambling market is evolving into a highly transparent and tightly controlled realm with a substantial entry threshold. Particular emphasis is placed on addressing the shadow segment: the regulator not only maintains existing measures but also continues to reinforce them. In 2026, expanded collaboration with Gespa is planned to enhance the effectiveness of detecting illicit domains.

At present, the FGB’s denylist already contains more than 3,000 digital platforms. The blocking is implemented through coordinated efforts with internet service suppliers across the DACH region, ensuring rapid restriction of access to unlicensed websites.

Furthermore, authorities are working on a nationwide information campaign. Players will be warned about the financial risks of gambling on illegal resources and redirected towards certified portals.

Switzerland’s Online Gaming Segment: Potential

Switzerland persistently provides thorough support to the FGB. Currently, neither federal nor regional authorities are contemplating amendments to the Geldspielgesetz law, firmly prioritising strict supervision and large-scale blocking as the primary means of tackling the grey market.

Industry specialists, however, remain cautious: some question whether the existing model will prove sustainable in the long term. More definitive conclusions are anticipated by the end of 2026, once Germany and Austria complete their regulatory reviews. These changes may also affect Switzerland’s future strategy.