Switzerland casinos are fully legal and tightly regulated. Land-based casinos run under federal concessions supervised by the Swiss Federal Gaming Board (ESBK), and since the Money Gaming Act took effect, online casino games are legal only on sites run by those same Swiss casinos. The minimum age is 18, and foreign online casinos are blocked.
Switzerland gambling at a glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Main law | Federal Act on Money Games (Geldspielgesetz) |
| Casino regulator | Swiss Federal Gaming Board (ESBK) |
| Lotteries and sports betting | Intercantonal regulator Gespa; run by Swisslos and Loterie Romande |
| Online casinos | Legal only from licensed Swiss casinos |
| Minimum age | 18 |
| Last checked | November 2026 |
Gambling laws in Switzerland
Swiss gambling is governed by the Federal Act on Money Games and its ordinance. The law was approved in a national referendum on June 10, 2018 and took effect on January 1, 2019, replacing the older casino and lottery laws.
Casino concessions are granted by the Federal Council, and only Swiss stock corporations can hold one. The ESBK supervises the casinos, collects the casino levy, which goes to the Swiss old-age and disability insurance (AHV/IV), and fights illegal gambling. Lotteries, sports betting and skill games fall under Gespa, the intercantonal gambling supervisor.
Running casino games without a licence can bring a prison sentence of up to five years, and advertising unlicensed games can bring a fine of up to CHF 500,000.
Online gambling in Switzerland
Only online casinos operated by licensed Swiss land-based casinos are allowed. Foreign operators cannot get a Swiss licence, and the ESBK treats their offers as illegal. It keeps a blocklist of illegal gambling sites, refreshed four times a year, and Swiss internet providers must block listed domains within five days of publication. Online sports betting and lotteries are offered by Swisslos and Loterie Romande.
If you are looking for US options instead, read our guide to online gambling in the US.
Casinos in Switzerland
Switzerland has about 20 licensed casinos under the concessions that started in 2025, with the law allowing up to 10 larger A concessions and 13 smaller B concessions. Casinos operate in cities and regions including Baden, Basel, Bern, Geneva, Lucerne, Lugano, Montreux, St. Gallen and Zürich. A casinos offer the widest range of games, while B casinos serve smaller and tourist areas with fewer games.
Swiss casinos offer slot machines and table games including roulette, blackjack, baccarat, Caribbean Stud Poker, Ultimate Texas Hold’em and in some venues craps. Many also run poker games and tournaments, and machines include video poker. Casino games are limited to 1,000 participants, which matters mainly for large poker tournaments.
Player protection
Swiss casinos must check every guest’s identity and age. Players can request a voluntary self-exclusion, which applies across Swiss casinos and their online sites, and it can be lifted only after at least three months. Since January 2025, exclusions also cover casinos in Liechtenstein. Online casinos must offer breaks of up to six months.
Lotteries and sports betting
Two non-profit operators run lotteries and sports betting: Swisslos in the German- and Italian-speaking regions and Loterie Romande in the French-speaking cantons. Their profits go to public-interest causes such as culture, sport and social projects.
Winnings in Swiss land-based casinos are tax-free. Winnings from lotteries, sports betting and licensed Swiss online casinos are tax-free up to a threshold of about CHF 1 million, which is adjusted for inflation (CHF 1,070,400 from 2025); only the amount above it is taxed.
Other European guides
Planning a wider trip? See our guides to Italy, Portugal and Sweden.
Switzerland casinos FAQ
Is gambling legal in Switzerland?
Yes. Casinos, lotteries and sports betting are legal when run by licensed Swiss operators.
Can you play online casinos in Switzerland?
Yes, but only at online casinos run by licensed Swiss casinos. Foreign sites are illegal and blocked.
What is the gambling age in Switzerland?
18 for casinos.
Are casino winnings taxed in Switzerland?
Winnings in Swiss land-based casinos are tax-free. Lottery, sports betting and Swiss online casino wins are tax-free up to about CHF 1 million; the amount above that is taxed.
Please gamble responsibly. US readers can call or text the National Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-MY-RESET.