Online Casinos in Switzerland
Swiss online gambling law: ten licensed online casinos, ESBK and Gespa oversight, network blocking and player winnings. Checked 1 Oct 2026.
Only Swiss-licensed online casinos are legal in Switzerland, and licences go only to operators linked to licensed land-based casinos. The Federal Gaming Board (ESBK) supervises casinos and Gespa oversees lotteries and sports betting. Internet providers block unlicensed sites, and the ESBK blacklist has passed 3,500 domains.
Last verified: 2026-10-01
Is online gambling legal in Switzerland?
Yes, but only through authorised operators. The Federal Act on Gambling (Geldspielgesetz, BGS) in force since 1 January 2019 allows online casino games only for holders of a Swiss casino licence that has also received approval for an online offer. The first licensed online casino launched in July 2019, and the ESBK approved Casino Locarno as the tenth online casino in 2026.
Lotteries and sports betting are operated by Swisslos and Loterie Romande under the supervision of Gespa, the intercantonal authority. Foreign operators cannot lawfully accept Swiss players.
ESBK, Gespa and network blocking
The Eidgenössische Spielbankenkommission (ESBK, esbk.admin.ch) licenses and supervises casinos, collects casino tax and combats illegal casino gambling. Gespa (gespa.ch) supervises lotteries, sports betting and large-scale skill games.
- Blocking: Swiss internet providers must apply DNS blocks to domains listed by either authority. The ESBK list reached 3,567 domains in 2026, with more than 1,000 added during the year.
- Verification: licensed operators check age, canton residency and tax domicile.
- Self-exclusion: a national exclusion system applies across licensed operators.
VPNs do not change the legal status of unlicensed sites.
Player protection, tax and winnings
The minimum age is 18. Licensed operators must follow social-responsibility concepts, offer limits and report to the authorities. Anti-money-laundering requirements apply.
Under Swiss tax rules, winnings from licensed online casinos and from licensed lotteries and sports betting are generally tax-free for players, with winnings above CHF 1 million per game taxable according to secondary sources. Check the Federal Tax Administration or your canton before relying on this. Operators pay a casino tax on gross gaming revenue, which funds old-age and disability insurance and the cantons.
Games, payments and advertising
Licensed Swiss online casinos offer slots, table games and poker. Sports betting is available through the lottery operators' platforms. Swiss players use cards, TWINT and bank transfers.
Advertising for unlicensed offers is illegal, and licensed operators must follow conduct rules. This is one reason blucca.com restricts what we publish for Swiss readers.
How blucca.com covers Switzerland, and where to get help
blucca.com features only operators that appear on the ESBK's list of authorised online casinos and does not promote unlicensed or blocked sites. Content is editorial and makes no promise of winnings. Some links may earn us a commission.
Services such as SOS Spielsucht and Sucht Schweiz offer confidential counselling, and you can self-exclude through licensed operators. Gambling is for adults aged 18 and over.
Affiliate disclosure: blucca.com may earn a commission if you register with a licensed operator through some links. This never changes our licensing checks. 18+ or the legal age in your location. Gambling carries risk and is not a way to make money. If gambling is a problem, seek help.