The Swiss Federal Gaming Commission (ESBK) has held a meeting with certification bodies to further enhance and develop gambling accreditation processes.
Local law mandates that gambling operations must be safe and transparent. Consequently, every gaming machine and similar offering must be inspected by an accredited organisation before being put into operation in a casino. This organisation verifies that the game complies with the technical requirements set by Swiss legislation.
Ongoing communication between authorities and certification bodies plays a crucial role in ensuring quality, transparency and safety in the Swiss gambling sector.
Overall, the meeting underlines the ESBK’s commitment to maintaining high standards in Switzerland’s gambling sector by strengthening cooperation with relevant bodies.
This comes at a time when casinos are facing increasing scrutiny due to their past responsible gambling failures.
Last week, the Federal Supreme Court of Switzerland upheld a fine of CHF 570,850 ($713,000) imposed on the Neuchâtel Casino for failing to meet its player protection obligations. Nine customers displaying signs of excessive gambling were allowed to continue playing at the venue.
In April, Casino Davos was ordered to pay a fine of CHF 970,000 after technical failures allowed self-excluded players to access its online gambling platform. The Swiss Federal Administrative Court rejected the operator’s appeal.
Meanwhile, the Swiss Intercantonal Gambling Supervisory Authority (Gespa) recently published its 2025 annual report, noting a decline in sports betting and lottery revenue.
These two verticals, operated both online and land-based, generated turnover of approximately CHF 3.87bn, down 2.4% year-on-year. GGR totalled CHF 1.2bn, down 3.7% compared to the previous year.
Around 75% of the total GGR was generated by lotteries and scratch-off lottery products.
Since 7 January 2025, Switzerland and Liechtenstein have enforced an agreement that bans individuals barred from casinos in one country from gambling in the other, strengthening protections against gambling addiction
