Casinos in Switzerland

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Introduction

Swiss casinos are some of the best-maintained and most well-regulated gambling places on earth. There are no dingy gambling halls near back alleys or on one side of a town that offer glamour and others that reek of desperation on the other side.

While the Swiss play and participate at high levels, many casinos present a unique attraction to international travelers. There are venues and places within other gambling spots that offer everything the ultra-rich visitor could hope for while still providing good wholesome fun to gamblers possessing almost any sized bankroll. The Swiss have a highly defined and highly refined gambling culture.

The casinos of Switzerland can be found in the biggest cities, mountain resorts, and every landscape in between. There is enough diversity between all of the venues that no matter where you plan to visit, you can sample Swiss gambling that fits your wants and needs as well as your bankroll.

Look for traditional Western and European classics like roulette and blackjack or swim through a sea of slots with all the sensory stimulation they offer. You’ll find many of the casinos in upscale hotels or in or near popular tourist spots, so they are easy to work into almost any travel itinerary.

Expect leisure but in a controlled environment that is responsible and regulated, making sure a high-end experience is available to all. Casinos are a measurable part of the country’s tourism industry and provide significant funding for Switzerland’s social programs and citizens’ benefits. The industry is strictly regulated and guarantees that all players experience fairness and transparency rather than worry about whether the games are fair and have no way to address grievances.

Read on if you’d like to learn more about the Swiss land-based casino industry, the regulatory framework it operates under, and where to find some of the most popular casinos and destinations. If Switzerland is on your gambling travel wish list, you’ll find at least one venue that fits your checklist for excitement, luxury, and leisure.

History of Gambling in Switzerland

Before the dawn of the Third Millenium, casinos were banned in Switzerland under a conservative stance dating back to 1921 when all casinos were restricted. This total moratorium lasted until 1993 when casinos were allowed to operate again but only with limited stakes in an effort to prevent gambling excess. The change in the law in 1993 came on the heels of a referendum put before voters who chose to liberalize casino gambling after a long absence from society. Then, in 2000, Switzerland passed the Federal Act on Games of Chance, which formally allowed casinos to operate under direct government oversight, and the casino industry we see today is a direct outgrowth of that change.

The market has expanded since then with additional regulations such as the 2019 law that specifically allows online gambling in Switzerland while still maintaining strict safeguards.

To recap and add a little color, we’ll look at the history thusly:

The Monte Carlo Surge: After the ban on casinos in 1921, beginning in about 1937, a lot of Swiss gamblers began frequenting Monaco's casinos. The footfall and massive churn of the Swiss gamblers added to Monte Carlo’s reputation as a luxury gambling destination. The "Swiss exodus" reflects the demand that would eventually convince Swiss legislators to consider reform.

The Limited Stakes Era: After 1993, small “spielsalon” casinos were allowed to offer low-stakes games. Of course, the people wanted to play anyway and the referendum resulted in a proliferation of small electronic gambling salons or gathering places where locals played games of chance.

Federal Act on Games of Chance (2000): The 2000 legislation was one of Europe’s strictest gambling regulations at the time. It included social protection like strict advertising limits and other attempts to reduce problem gambling. These became models for several other EU nations.

2019 Online Gambling Law: Switzerland’s 2019 online gambling law imposed geo-blocking on foreign sites. That’s an important point to know because it was one of the first times Switzerland restricted the internet for citizens. The action triggered a fierce debate in the country around the balance between internet freedom and national sovereignty. Freedom House rates Switzerland at 96/100: A score of 39/40 for political rights and 57/60 for civil liberties.

Legislation and Jurisdiction

Gambling in Switzerland operates under strict government oversight. Each individual casino needs approval from the Federal Gaming Board (ESBK) to ensure compliance with local laws. All casinos are or will be licensed until 2045 with a 2025 renewal. The fact that the government could announce such a wholesale renewal of licenses in a single tranche is a testament to the fact that regulators are keenly aware of all operational aspects of each venue and that all stay in compliance rather than play games to see how much they can get away with, willing to take a slap on the wrist or pay penalties that accounts have determined are worth the risk for a quick buck.

Gambling revenues are a very important part of the state functioning properly and the collection and disbursement of revenues is entirely transparent. Each year, Gespa publishes a report (.PDF in German) that details how cantons use lottery and sports betting revenues, with funding often directed toward sports, culture, and social initiatives. Gespa monitors revenue allocations but it doesn’t interfere in spending decisions or try to influence specific spending. It simply supports transparency while at the same time respecting cantonal autonomy.

Popular Casino Resorts and Games

Switzerland’s casinos are more than gambling hubs; they’re luxury destinations that reflect the country’s upscale tourism in general. Some of the most popular spots include:

• Moevenpick Hotel and Casino Geneva – This is a Five-Star hotel with an upscale casino centrally located near the airport. Look for a good mix of travelers and high-stakes players at this Geneva landmark.
• Grand Hotel Quellenhof Bad Ragaz – A five-star resort in a spa town, attracting the rich and famous as well as those with more money than fame. Dress nice, be at least 18 years old, and if you like gin you will find about 140 different varieties here.
• Casino Barrière Montreux – This lakefront casino is near the site where American hard rock band, Deep Purple penned their most iconic song, “Smoke on the Water”. Montreux is home to the internationally famous jazz festival that bears its name. The casino itself is simply amazing.
• Casino Admiral Mendrisio – This property is located near the Italian border and it offers a distinctly Mediterranean vibe. You’ll find as many foreigners here on a given night as you will Swiss players. It has been rated the best casino in Switzerland two years in a row.

From roulette and blackjack to popular international video slot games, these casinos provide a wide choice of gaming experiences. Each location is tailored to precisely match its unique surroundings for an unforgettable experience. There are over a dozen more locations in the country but these 5-star resorts represent some of the creme de la creme.

Swiss Gambling Behavior Study

In October 2024, Gespa and the ESBK released a study on Swiss gambling patterns based on their interpretations of 2022 data. Nearly half of all respondents (44.5%) had gambled in the prior year and about two-thirds had gambled at least once in their lives. Swiss lottery games were the most popular but a good portion of the population also engaged in private games, table games, and sports betting.

The study raised some concerns about high-risk gambling behaviors with a spotlight on international betting platforms and online casinos registered offshore. One takeaway from the study shows that only about one in fifty Swedes played at online casinos sanctioned by the government but over one-third bet on sports or gambled in online casinos not licensed in Switzerland.

Conclusion

Swiss casinos offer residents and visitors great value for their gambling dollars, Swiss francs, or euros with an emphasis on transparency, safety, and upscale entertainment. The money generated from gambling is well spent on social benefits that all Swiss residents enjoy whether they gamble or not.

Whether you choose to gamble in one of the urban center casinos, on the Lake Geneva shoreline, or somewhere in the Alps you’ll find a gambling destination well worth fitting into your travel itinerary.