Switzerland has reached a significant milestone in its highly regulated iGaming sector, as the Eidgenössische Spielbankenkommission (ESBK) awards the country ten online casino licence to Casino Locarno. The operator is now preparing to launch its digital platform, CasiNeo.ch, marking a notable addition to one of Europe’s most restricted yet profitable markets.
Under the Federal Gambling Act (Geldspielgesetz), anyone with an approved land-based casino certificate can operate within the online space. This framework guarantees that online gambling continues to be conducted exclusively by accredited and localised entities.
There are many regulations and requirements when operating in Switzerland, therefore, the ESBK monitors all online gambling activities, as well as verifying each player’s identity. Players must complete an age, residency, and fiscal domicile check before being able to utilise any of the services. These are required checks; thus, they help to ensure that the market is consistent and that all gaming companies are registered in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations.
While the licensing process is regulated, illegal gambling websites still pose an issue, leading to increased enforcement initiatives from Swiss authorities.
Regulators are collaborating with Gespa to develop methods to identify and shut down these operators by the year 2026, as part of a long-term strategy. Public awareness campaigns will also be initiated to promote the dangers of unlicensed gambling and to encourage individuals to play via regulated websites such as CasiNeo.ch.
