Reagulatory Framework

Switzerland is separated into 26 cantons*, with gambling laws and regulations separated into federal and cantonal* laws. The federal laws apply throughout the country. The cantonal* laws apply to local land-based gambling activities. 

The Swiss Gambling Supervisory Authority (Interkantonale Geldspielaufsicht (GESPA)) hosts an official website of consolidated laws and regulations.

A list of applicable legislation can also be found on the website of the Swiss Federal Gaming Board (ESBK).

Note that this section refers to laws applicable at the federal level.

*Switzerland has 26 cantons that act as constituent states.

Gambling

• Federal Law 935.51 of September 29, 2017 on Gambling (Gambling Act).
• Ordinance 935.511 of November 7, 2018 on Gambling (Gambling Ordinance).
• EJPD Ordinance 935.511.1 of November 7, 2018 on Gambling Houses (Casino Ordinance).

Anti-Money Laundering

• Federal Law 955.0 of October 10, 1997 on Combating Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing (AMLA) (Money Laundering Act).
• EJPD Ordinance 955.022 of November 7, 2018 on the Due Diligence of Organisers of Major Games to Combat Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing (Money Laundering Ordinance - EJPD).
• ESBK Ordinance 955.021 of November 12, 2018 on the Due Diligence of Casinos to Combat Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing (Money Laundering Ordinance - ESBK).
• Regulation 955.01 of November 11, 2015 on Combating Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing (Regulation on Combating Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing).
• Federal Law 935.51 of September 29, 2017 on Gambling (Gambling Act).

Data Protection

• Federal Law 235.1 of September 25, 2020 on Data Protection (Data Protection Act)
• Ordinance on Data Protection

Advertising

• Federal Law 935.51 of September 29, 2017 on Gambling (Gambling Act)
• Gambling Ordinance
• Guidelines on advertising and sponsorship 2019
• Federal Act on Radio and Television

Relevant Contacs

Gambling Regulator

Swiss Gambling Supervisory Authority (Interkantonale Geldspielaufsicht (GESPA)) has regulatory oversight over the betting, and lottery market, as well as over skill-based games on behalf of the cantons*.
Tel: (+41) 31 313 13 03
Email: info@gespa.ch

Swiss Federal Gaming Board (Eidgenössische Spielbankenkommission (ESBK)) has regulatory oversight over the casino sector. 
Tel: (+41) 58 463 12 04
Queries can be submitted via a contact form available on ESBK’s website.

A list of cantonal* licensing authorities can be accessed here, as provided on the website of GESPA.

*Switzerland has 26 cantons that act as constituent states.

AML Regulator

Federal Office of Police 
Money Laundering Reporting Office (Bundesamt für Polizei Meldestelle für Geldwäscherei (MROS))
Tel: (+41) 58 463 40 40
Email: mros.info@fedpol.admin.ch

Data Protection Authority

Federal Data Protection and Information Commissioner (Eidgenössischer Datenschutz- und Öffentlichkeitsbeauftragter (EDÖB))
Tel: (+41) 58 463 74 84
Email: transparence@edoeb.admin.ch
Contact forms can be found on the EDÖB’s website, here.

Advertising Regulator

Federal Office of Communications (Bundesamt für Kommunikation (BAKOM))
Tel: (+41) 058 460 55 11
Email: info@bakom.admin.ch

Independent Complaints Body for Radio and Television (Unabhängige Beschwerdeinstanz für Radio und Fernsehen (UBI))
Tel: (+41) 058 462 55 38/33 
Email: info(at)ubi.admin.ch

Swiss Fairness Commission (Schweizerische Lauterkeitskommission (SLK))
Tel: (+41) 044 211 79 22
Email: info@lauterkeit.ch