Switzerland Reviews Gambling Law Amid Growing Casino Blacklist

Government Assesses Seven Years of Regulation

Switzerland's Federal Department of Justice and Police has launched a formal review of the Money Gaming Act, the legislation introduced in 2019 that limited online casino operations to domestic concession holders and required internet service providers to block unauthorized gambling websites.

The evaluation comes at a key moment, with the country's blacklist of restricted gambling domains nearing 3,000. The findings, expected in the second half of 2026, will help determine whether changes to the current regulatory framework are needed.

Blacklist Continues to Expand

Since the law came into force, enforcement has been led by two authorities: the Federal Gaming Board (ESBK), responsible for online casino games, and Gespa, which oversees lotteries and sports betting. Both agencies maintain public lists of unauthorized operators that internet providers must block.

The blacklist has expanded rapidly over the years, with hundreds of new domains added in early 2026 alone. The blocked websites include offshore casinos, sportsbooks and affiliate sites directing Swiss users to unlicensed operators.

While authorities continue to intensify enforcement efforts, the growing number of blocked domains has raised questions about whether DNS blocking is effectively reducing illegal gambling or simply tracking operators as they reappear under new web addresses.

Evaluating the Market Model

The government review follows parliamentary calls to assess whether the Money Gaming Act has achieved its main objectives. The evaluation will examine player channelization into the regulated market, the effectiveness of consumer protection measures and whether current enforcement tools remain proportionate and effective.

An advisory group made up of regulators, cantonal authorities and responsible gambling specialists has supported the evaluation process since 2023.

A Highly Restricted Online Market

Unlike many European jurisdictions, Switzerland does not issue standalone online gambling licenses. Instead, only operators already holding a land-based casino concession are permitted to offer online casino services, while lotteries and sports betting remain under state-backed monopolies.

This structure has resulted in a relatively small regulated market, with around a dozen licensed online casinos currently operating. Foreign operators remain excluded from entering the market directly.

Illegal Gambling Still Represents a Challenge

Despite the strict regulatory framework, offshore operators continue to attract Swiss players. According to studies cited by Swiss public broadcasting, unlicensed gambling operators cost the country more than CHF 200 million annually in lost contributions to the social security system, as they are not subject to the same obligations as licensed casinos.

Many of these companies operate legally from jurisdictions such as Malta and Gibraltar, making enforcement difficult beyond blocking access to their websites.

Report Could Shape Future Reforms

The government's report, expected later this year, may lead to adjustments ranging from stronger enforcement measures—such as payment blocking—to broader discussions about whether expanding the legal market could better channel players toward licensed operators.

The outcome is expected to attract attention beyond Switzerland, as regulators across Europe continue searching for effective ways to combat the growth of the unlicensed online gambling market.