Switzerland grants four online gambling licences

The National Council of Switzerland has granted licence extensions for four casinos to offer online gambling.

Switzerland.- The National Council of Switzerland granted the casinos of Baden, Davos, Lucerne and Pfäffikon an extension of their licence to conduct online gambling. The local gambling regulator Eidgenössische Spielbankenkommission (ESBK) had already approved the applications, but the casinos needed the National Council’s approval as well.

The Gaming Act from Switzerland came into force on January 1, 2019. The regulatory scheme allows the 21 casinos from Switzerland the opportunity to offer their games as well, but they require a concession extension, which is granted by the National Council.

Based on the motion of the ESBK, the Federal Council approved the concession extension requests of the casinos Baden, Davos, Lucerne and Pfäffikon. These are the first four casinos to apply for a licence extension. Before the casinos can start promoting their offers, the ESBK must first check their gaming offering and approve individual games.

The Gambling Act

Voters from Switzerland overwhelmingly backed a new online gambling law that requires gaming companies to be certified by the government in order to operate online and in the country. The bill that also aims to prevent addiction received 73% of support from voters who cast ballots.

The results mark the first time that Swiss firms will be able to offer online gambling services in a market where foreign companies are not welcomed. Justice Minister Simonetta Sommaruga voiced her support and said that the bill was indispensable to ensure that strict rules are followed.