Can I gamble online for money in Switzerland?
Yes — but only with providers licensed in Switzerland. Under the Gambling Act (BGS, since 2019), online casinos with a Swiss concession are legal. Foreign, unlicensed gambling sites are blocked (network blocking by the internet providers). Lotteries and sports betting run via Swisslos (German-speaking Switzerland and Ticino) and Loterie Romande. The minimum age is 18. Casino winnings are tax-free; winnings from online casino, lottery and betting are tax-free up to about CHF 1.07m, taxable above (35% withholding tax). Supervised by the ESBK (casinos) and GESPA (lotteries/betting). In short: yes, with Swiss providers and from 18.
📋 The rules
- Only Swiss-licensed online casinos are legal
- Foreign sites are blocked (network blocking)
- Lottery/betting: Swisslos & Loterie Romande
- Minimum age 18
- Winnings up to ~CHF 1.07m tax-free
🔓 Exceptions
- Casino winnings (land-based): fully tax-free
- Above the free amount: 35% withholding tax
- The players themselves aren't punishable
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Offering or running gambling without a concession is an offence; the players themselves aren't punishable, but stakes and winnings from illegal offers can be confiscated, and foreign sites are blocked anyway. Beware a myth: "every online casino is legal in Switzerland" is false — only providers with a Swiss concession are allowed, all others are blocked. Tip: play only with providers licensed in Switzerland, mind the minimum age of 18, and use the blocking and protection options for problem gambling.
📎 Official sources
❓ Frequently asked
Can I gamble online for money?
Yes, but only with providers holding a Swiss concession. Online casinos licensed in Switzerland have been legal since 2019. Foreign, unlicensed gambling sites are blocked. Lotteries and betting run via Swisslos and Loterie Romande within the regulated Swiss framework.
Why are foreign sites blocked?
The Gambling Act protects the Swiss market and the players. Gambling sites not licensed in Switzerland are blocked via network blocking by the internet providers. This is meant to prevent illegal offers without protective measures and without taxation being accessible to players.
Are winnings tax-free?
Winnings from land-based casinos are fully tax-free. Winnings from online casinos, lotteries and betting are tax-free up to a free amount of around CHF 1.07 million. Above that they're taxable, and a withholding tax of 35 percent is levied on the taxable portion.
What age can I gamble from?
The minimum age for gambling is 18. This applies to casinos, online casinos and to lotteries and sports betting. Providers must verify the age. Anyone showing problem gambling behaviour can block themselves or be blocked, as protection against gambling addiction.
Am I punishable if I play on a blocked site?
The players themselves aren't punishable. Offering or running gambling without a concession is the offence. However, stakes and winnings from illegal offers can be confiscated, and access to foreign sites is blocked in Switzerland anyway, so it's best avoided.
🔎 Common searches
What people search to land here:
- “online casino switzerland legal”
- “gambling act switzerland”
- “foreign casinos blocked switzerland”
- “gambling winnings tax switzerland”
- “swisslos loterie romande”
- “online gambling switzerland age”