Switzerland Approves Online Gambling Regulations

The Swiss Parliament has approved the Money Gaming Act, which legalizes online gambling in the country—closing it as a “grey” market. The new regulations cover land-based and online casinos and bans unlicensed sites from operating in Switzerland.

Switzerland has adopted new gambling regulations that allow for online gambling, but close the country off to offshore betting sites.

The new rules cover both the casino industry and the online gambling sector. Switzerland has been a grey market for online betting companies up until now.

Under the new law, foreign companies have been formally banned from operating in Switzerland and only locally licensed operators who have already established a land-based presence in the Swiss casino sector will be able to legally run online gambling services. The rules also allow the government to block unlicensed sites operating in the country.

The legislation also sets new tax values for winnings from lottery or sports betting which will be applied only for revenue exceeding CHF 1 million. The rules are expected to go into effect in January.

The revisions update the country’s gambling laws first passed in 1928, and last amended in 1998. However, the rules have been criticized by various Swiss political parties such as the Green Liberals and Free Democratic Party, that say the legislation breaches current EU laws on free movement of business services and adds new restrictions to internet access.

Recent Articles

History Playbook

On This Day In Sports History

On July 25, 2015, Cole Hamels pitched a 13-strikeout no-hitter to lead the Phillies past the Cubs 5-0 at Wrigley Field—the first no-hitter at the stadium since 1972. Hamels threw 129 pitches, securing the final out when Odúbel Herrera made a dramatic, tumbling catch on a Kris Bryant fly ball to center field. This historic performance marked Hamels' final game in a Philadelphia uniform; after 10 seasons with the club, he was traded to the Rangers six days later.

On This Day In Sports History

On July 24, 1908, American Johnny Hayes won the Olympic marathon in London following a dramatic controversy. Italian runner Dorando Pietri entered White City Stadium well in the lead but collapsed five times from exhaustion. Track officials helped Pietri to his feet each time, enabling him to cross the finish line 32 seconds ahead of Hayes. However, after a protest was filed on the American's behalf, Pietri was disqualified for receiving assistance, and Hayes was awarded the victory.