May I play at an online casino in Liechtenstein?
In a licensed casino in the country you may play — but a licensed online casino from Liechtenstein does not exist. The Gaming Act (GSG, LR 935.51) permits land-based casinos with a licence, yet for online gaming the government has, since 19 November 2019, imposed a moratorium and extended it repeatedly — no online concessions are granted. The myth: 'Liechtenstein has licensed online casinos' — plus the wrong number 944.0. Wrong on both counts: the GSG carries the number 935.51 (the same as the Swiss Gaming Act, SR 935.51), and online concessions are blocked. What is punished is the unauthorised offering and promotion of money games (Art. 88 GSG: up to 1 year imprisonment) — not the individual player.
📋 The rules
- On-site casinos need a licence: Under the GSG (LR 935.51), money gaming is legal only with the necessary authorisation. Supervision and enforcement lie with the Gaming Supervision in the Office of Economic Affairs.
- Online gaming is on hold: Since 19 November 2019 a moratorium on online concessions applies, extended several times. A casino licensed in Liechtenstein online does not exist.
- The operator is punished, not the player: Punishable under Art. 88 GSG is whoever organises, operates, brokers or commercially promotes money games without authorisation — with up to 1 year imprisonment or 360 daily units.
- Player protection and exclusions: There are gaming exclusions for at-risk persons; since January 2025 Switzerland and Liechtenstein exchange exclusion data, so a ban works across borders.
- Anti-money-laundering supervision by the FMA: Casinos are subject to due-diligence and, regarding money laundering, stand under the supervision of the Financial Market Authority (FMA) — in addition to the Gaming Supervision.
🔓 Exceptions
- Foreign online offers: Whoever plays with a foreign provider is in a grey area: the provider must not direct its offer to Liechtenstein, yet what is punished is the offering, not the private playing.
- Small, exempt games: Certain lotteries and tombolas for charitable purposes can be exempt from authorisation — separate, narrower conditions then apply.
- Games of skill: Games in which skill predominates (poker in a certain form, say) fall under their own GSG categories and are not automatically treated like games of chance.
⚠️ Penalties & fines
The threat of punishment aims at the operation, not at the guest. Whoever offers, operates, brokers or commercially promotes money games without authorisation is punishable under Art. 88 GSG — facing imprisonment of up to one year or a fine of up to 360 daily units; even procuring software or advertising can be covered. The Gaming Supervision can provisionally stop offers, the national police assist in the investigation, and the FMA punishes breaches of due diligence. Less obvious: balances with an illegal provider are barely enforceable in law — in a fraud the money is usually lost, and winnings from dubious sources can raise questions with the bank and in the tax procedure. The seemingly harmless click on an unlicensed portal is thus the real risk.
📎 Official sources
- Office of Economic Affairs (Amt für Volkswirtschaft) — Gaming Supervision and online-gaming moratorium (national administration) →
- LILEX — Gaming Act (GSG, LR 935.51) (legal register home) →
- Financial Market Authority Liechtenstein (FMA) — due diligence of casinos (home) →
❓ Frequently asked
Are there licensed online casinos in Liechtenstein?
No, a moratorium on online gaming has applied since November 2019 and has been extended several times. Therefore no online concession has been granted so far, and a casino licensed online in Liechtenstein does not exist.
Am I committing an offence if I play online?
The Gaming Act punishes the offering and commercial promotion of money games without authorisation, not private playing. Foreign providers, however, must not direct their offer to Liechtenstein, and with an illegal portal you bear the full risk of loss.
Who supervises gambling in Liechtenstein?
Responsible for supervision and enforcement is the Gaming Supervision in the Office of Economic Affairs. In addition, the Financial Market Authority supervises the casinos with regard to money-laundering prevention.
Can I have myself excluded from gambling?
Yes, there are gaming exclusions for at-risk persons, which take effect in the licensed casinos. Since January 2025 Switzerland and Liechtenstein exchange the exclusion data, so a ban works in both countries.
What number does the Gaming Act really have?
It is often wrongly cited as 944.0, yet the Liechtenstein Gaming Act carries the LR number 935.51. That is the same number as the Swiss Gaming Act (SR 935.51), even though they are two independent laws.
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