EU-Regulated National
Switzerland licence.
ESBK/Gespa
Existing Swiss casino operators only. Foreign-licensed offshore operators face active enforcement.
What the regulator asks for
Year one cost
Closed market for new entrants
Only holders of a Swiss land-based casino concession may obtain the Federal Council's extension for online games; individual games also require FGB permission. It is not a freely available international online casino licence. Federal Gaming Board current online gambling guidance: 17 March 2026.
Timeline
Not available to new international entrants
Swiss casino law restricts online operation to land-based concession holders.
Gaming tax
Casino concession: progressive 40% to 80% on GGR.
Marketing climate
Restrictive. Federal Supreme Court May 2022 confirmed offshore ban. ESBK opened 132 new criminal cases in 2024.
The market
Since January 2019 Swiss concessioned land-based casinos may request an extension to conduct online casino games. The Federal Council grants the extension; the Federal Gaming Board (ESBK/FGB) authorises individual games. Offshore online casino offerings are blocked. There is no standalone online casino entry route for overseas operators without the Swiss casino concession.
How the application runs
Land-based concession holders apply for online extension via ESBK; foreign operators have no entry path.
Ongoing compliance
Federal AML rules. Player protection per FOA.
What you can and cannot say
Restricted. Offshore operators enforced against criminally.
The honest read
What it means for your plan
Not an entry option for international operators. The Federal Supreme Court 2022 confirmation of the offshore ban removed any grey-market argument.
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Compared with
For operators planning next steps
From a licence comparison to an operator launch plan
Fees and requirements alone do not establish eligibility or readiness. Confirm current regulatory conditions with the authority and then plan product, payments and implementation.
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