Reports
MARKET REPORT SWITZERLAND
“For most people blocking will be effective. Blocking also has an informational effect. It informs that the offers are not allowed in Switzerland. Most people prefer to play with licensed offers. Only a handful of online casinos will be created and not all casinos will offer online games.”
l Foreign suppliers do not need a licence but they will need to provide their services to licensed operators and the operator has to provide evidence that its foreign supplier has a ‘good reputation’.
l Small poker tournaments will be allowed outside of casinos under tight conditions.
l Te new act proposes to strengthen player protection and contains a number of provisions for secure and transparent gaming operations.
l All money games shall be exempted from player taxation which is aimed at increasing Switzerland’s international competitiveness and will bring in new guidelines for the charitable use of incomes from lotteries and sports betting services.
Once parliament reaches an agreement on the P66 NEWSWIRE / INTERACTIVE /
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new Gaming Act it will be published in the Swiss Federal Gazette. Tis then provides citizens with the opportunity to launch a public referendum. If they oppose the law only 50,000 voters are needed to sign within 100 days after publication. Tere has been strong opposition and debate so far and many predict there will be a referendum which could delay the new act by another two to three years. If a referendum goes ahead and it is unsuccessful the delay in the act will be about 12 months.
Te Green Liberal Party and far right Swiss People’s Party (SVP) are both against the law saying “he that has plenty shall have more” over the plans to limit the online gambling licences to those with casino licences.
Tey believe to open up the playing field will increase revenues rather than restrict them. Apparently CHF320m from online gambling revenues is currently given to the Swiss Social
Security System each year whilst CHF560m from licensed sport betting is given to canton authorities for cultural and sport programmes.
Although all are in favour of this system they also argue that this sector continues to be exempt from player tax unlike the lottery and betting winnings. However the new law could see all sectors exempt from taxes on winnings.
Marc Friedrich of Swiss Casino Association said; “For most people blocking will be effective. Blocking also has an informational effect. It informs that the offers are not allowed in Switzerland. Most people prefer to play with licensed offers. Only a handful of online casinos will be created and not all casinos will offer online games.”
THE CASINOS Te new law will of course bring financial
benefits to the Swiss Casino sector. Tey have
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