Switzerland, Bern: Federal authorities review the 2019 Money Gaming Act as blocked gambling websites approach 3,000 nationwide
Seven years after Switzerland introduced one of Europe’s strictest online gambling regulations, the country is reassessing whether its landmark policy has achieved its intended goals. The Federal Department of Justice and Police has launched a comprehensive evaluation of the Money Gaming Act, the legislation that came into force in 2019 and fundamentally reshaped the nation’s online gambling industry.
The review comes at a significant moment for Swiss regulators. The official blacklist of blocked gambling websites has expanded rapidly over recent years and is now approaching 3,000 domains. The findings of the evaluation, expected during the second half of 2026, could determine whether Switzerland continues with its existing enforcement strategy or introduces substantial reforms.
The Money Gaming Act created a highly restrictive online gambling framework by allowing only domestic concession holders to operate licensed online casinos. Foreign operators were excluded entirely from the legal market, while internet service providers were legally required to block access to unauthorized gambling websites.
Since the law took effect, two regulatory bodies have overseen enforcement. The Federal Gaming Board (ESBK) supervises online casino games, while Gespa, Switzerland’s intercantonal gambling regulator, oversees lotteries and sports betting. Both organizations maintain separate public blacklists of unauthorized gambling platforms.
These blacklists have expanded considerably over time. In February 2026 alone, regulators added several hundred new domains, bringing the combined total close to the 3,000-site threshold. The list now includes offshore casinos, international sportsbooks, and websites designed to redirect Swiss users toward unauthorized gambling services.
The rapid growth of the blacklist has highlighted one of the biggest challenges facing Swiss regulators. While authorities continue identifying and blocking new domains, many operators simply launch replacement websites within days or weeks, allowing them to continue serving Swiss customers despite regulatory action.
This ongoing cycle has prompted policymakers in Bern to examine whether domain blocking remains an effective enforcement tool or whether it has become primarily a method of documenting the scale of the problem rather than preventing illegal gambling activity.
The Federal Department of Justice and Police initiated the formal evaluation following several parliamentary interventions questioning whether the Money Gaming Act was meeting its original objectives. Responsibility for the assessment has been assigned to the Federal Office of Justice, which is conducting a broad review of the legislation’s performance.
Officials are examining several critical issues during the evaluation. These include whether Swiss players are successfully being directed toward licensed domestic operators, whether consumer protection standards remain effective under the current framework, and whether enforcement measures such as DNS blocking justify their financial and administrative costs.
The review has been underway for several years. Since 2023, an advisory group consisting of gambling regulators, cantonal authorities, and addiction specialists has supported the evaluation process. Their involvement reflects the government’s intention to conduct a comprehensive assessment rather than a routine legislative review.
Unlike many European jurisdictions, Switzerland does not issue standalone online gambling licences. Instead, the right to offer online casino games is reserved exclusively for operators that already hold concessions for land-based casinos within the country.
This licensing model has resulted in one of Europe’s most tightly controlled online gambling markets. Around a dozen licensed online casinos currently operate legally in Switzerland, each directly linked to an existing land-based casino concession.
The number of licensed operators has remained largely unchanged since the law entered into force because the regulatory framework provides no pathway for new independent online operators or foreign companies to enter the market.
Supporters of the system argue that this approach allows regulators to maintain strict oversight while ensuring high standards of consumer protection and responsible gambling. By limiting participation to established domestic operators, authorities believe they can more effectively monitor compliance and reduce gambling-related risks.
Critics, however, argue that the limited number of legal operators may unintentionally encourage consumers to seek alternatives through unlicensed offshore platforms offering greater variety, larger bonuses, or different gaming products unavailable within the regulated market.
Economic concerns have also become central to the ongoing evaluation. Estimates cited by Swiss public broadcasting suggest that offshore gambling operators may be costing Switzerland more than CHF200 million annually in lost contributions that would otherwise support the country’s social security system.
Licensed Swiss casinos are required to contribute part of their revenues toward social welfare funding. Offshore gambling companies serving Swiss customers, however, make no such contributions because they operate outside Swiss jurisdiction.
Most of these operators are based in established international gambling hubs such as Malta and Gibraltar, where they operate legally under local licensing regimes. While Swiss authorities can block access to their websites, they generally lack the legal authority to prosecute companies located overseas.
This creates what many observers describe as an enforcement gap. Even when regulators successfully block one website, operators frequently register new domains and continue attracting Swiss customers before authorities can update the blacklist again.
The challenge is not unique to Switzerland. Regulators in several European countries, including the United Kingdom, continue to face similar problems despite operating mature licensing systems and investing heavily in enforcement against illegal gambling providers.
As a result, Switzerland’s review is attracting attention beyond its borders. Other governments are closely monitoring whether one of Europe’s most restrictive online gambling systems has succeeded in limiting the growth of the unlicensed market.
The evaluation’s conclusions could influence future regulatory approaches across the continent. If the report determines that blocking alone is insufficient, policymakers may consider additional enforcement tools such as payment blocking, stronger cooperation with internet providers, or enhanced financial monitoring.
Some industry observers also believe the review could reopen debate over whether Switzerland should expand its legal market by allowing additional licensed operators to compete alongside existing concession holders.
Proponents of broader market access argue that increasing legal choices for consumers could improve channelization by attracting more players away from offshore platforms. Others warn that expanding licences could weaken the country’s carefully designed consumer protection framework.
The Federal Department of Justice and Police is expected to publish the completed evaluation during the second half of 2026. Its findings will likely shape the future of Switzerland’s online gambling policy for years to come.
Regardless of the outcome, the review represents a significant milestone in European gambling regulation. Switzerland is among the first countries to conduct a comprehensive assessment of a highly restrictive online gambling model after several years of practical implementation.
With nearly 3,000 blocked gambling domains now on the official blacklist, Swiss policymakers face a crucial decision. Whether they choose to reinforce the current system, introduce new enforcement mechanisms, or reconsider market access rules, the report will offer important lessons for governments worldwide seeking to balance consumer protection, market regulation, and effective enforcement in the rapidly evolving digital gambling landscape.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members