Alright, let’s dive deep into the Swiss gambling scene! Today’s lowdown is all about the roll of the dice in Switzerland. We’ll chat about the history of gambling there and what the legal scoop is right now. I’ll also give you the 411 on the top online casinos in Switzerland and let you in on how we pick the cream of the crop. Plus, we’ll touch on what kinds of casino bonuses are up for grabs for the Swiss folk and rank the top payment methods. And hey, we won’t forget to dish about the legalities and access for sports betting, lotteries, and poker.
Best Online Casinos For Switzerland People
The online casino scene in Switzerland is a bit unique. Legally, only those with a “brick-and-mortar” license can launch an online casino. So, the only fully legit online spots are tied to big-time Swiss casinos like Grand Casino Baden.
That said, many Swiss players are vibing with offshore online casinos that operate under international licenses. Playing there isn’t illegal, but sometimes you might run into some access hiccups. We’ll spill the beans on how to pick a top-notch offshore casino later in this piece. For now, take a gander at our list of the best online casinos in Switzerland.
For a long stretch, Switzerland had put the kibosh on all gambling. To get specific, they put the brakes on gambling in 1921, and this went on till 1993. That’s when they rolled out a full-fledged law giving the green light to land-based gambling. But even with this thumbs-up, there were some pretty tight reins, like caps on bet sizes. Over time, the gaming bigwigs got some slack, and the rules loosened up a bit.
This law also had the nitty-gritty on the number of land-based joints. According to it, each canton (a territorial district in Switzerland) could have no more than one casino. For context, Switzerland’s made up of 26 cantons, and as of now, about 20 casinos are up and running.
Besides casinos, lotteries are also the rage in Switzerland. Initially, each canton had the go-ahead to run its own lottery, leading to a smorgasbord of options. Over time, many of these lotteries teamed up, forming big league companies. End of the day, there are 2 major players in the Swiss lottery scene: Societe de la Loterie de la Suisse Romande and Swissloto.
When it comes to online casinos, the rules were pretty stiff for a while. Officially, online casino action was a no-go in Switzerland till 2019. In reality, Swiss players could hit up various offshore online casinos, shelling out over 200 million euros yearly. The government turned a blind eye and didn’t throw a wrench in the works for these overseas spots.
In 2019, the game changed, baby! Switzerland rolled out a law that made online casinos legal on Swiss turf. But, you know, with a couple of strings attached. Only a Swiss-registered company that’s got a land-based joint and a license from the local bigwig SFGB can crack open an online casino. So, offshore online casinos? They’re outta luck getting a Swiss license. Over time, the government even started putting up barriers to those places.
Legality and regulation of gambling
Here’s the lowdown on what’s legal gambling-wise in Switzerland right now:
Brick-and-mortar casinos: One joint max for each canton.
Lotteries and sports betting: Both offline and online, but you gotta have the right license.
Online casinos: Just like the land-based casinos, you gotta have a brick-and-mortar casino and a license from SFGB to open an online version.
Online poker: Same deal as online casinos. Poker rooms that cut a deal with a local company can officially set up shop in the country.
Now, let’s talk about the “gray area” of gambling:
Online casinos: Those offshore operators that are playin’ without a local license.
Online poker rooms: Poker places that haven’t shaken hands with a local company.
Bookmakers: Websites letting you bet on sports from abroad.
Let’s clear up what we mean by the “gray area” in gambling and what kind of bumps you might hit playing there. Since 2019, online gambling in Switzerland has been on the up-and-up, but only for the home team. For online casinos and poker, those companies also gotta be in the land-based game. That shuts the door on offshore companies. Playing there isn’t a no-go, but you might run into snags getting in or dropping a deposit with a credit card.
Choosing the best online casinos in Switzerland
Now, let’s break down what you gotta eyeball when picking an online casino. First off, you wanna check out the license – make sure it’s there and up to date – and snoop around for player reviews. Second, take a gander at the bonus programs and the payment methods they’ve got in their toolkit. And don’t forget to scope out the support team’s hours and how well the site plays with your phone or tablet if you’re planning to game on the go.
Legality and Safety
While chilling in Switzerland, you’ve got choices, mate: either roll the dice with a local online casino or take a shot with a foreign one. Local joints are all legit with government licenses and are pretty much an extension of the brick-and-mortar scene. Those offshore? Well, they’re running the show without a local license, usually riding under banners like MGA or Curacao.
User Feedback
Want the 411 on a casino? Dive into the reviews. We’re all over this stuff, especially when it comes to those drama-filled situations. If a casino’s hustling to make things right, that’s a solid sign they value their players. You can get the lowdown from reviews and deep dives into gamer forums. Top Swiss resources? Check out online-casinos.ch and ch.trustpilot.com/categories/gambling_service.
Bonuses & Promotions
Keep your eyes peeled for the bonus scene. Most casinos have a welcome mat in the form of a bonus, followed by the regular perks. The best Swiss online spots? They’ve got a whole welcome package, spreading the love over your first few deposits. We’ll spill more beans on the types of bonuses later.
Payment Systems
Since not everyone’s keen on dropping cash straight from the bank card, solid casinos always got backup options. Think e-wallets or some special banking/e-commerce services. Before diving in, always scope out their payment game.
Customer Service
What separates the cool kids from the meh ones? The support crew’s vibe – their hours and how quick they’re on the draw. Plus, with Switzerland rockin’ four official languages, it’s clutch for the support team to speak more than just English – French, German, Italian, or Romansh should be in the mix.
Mobile Adaptation
In this age of tech, loads of players are gaming from their phones or tablets. So, a top-notch casino should play nice not just with PCs, but mobile gadgets too. We put these sites through the wringer for mobile adaptability, and you should too.
Bonuses and promotions for Switzerland players
For those Swiss players, there’s a whole smorgasbord of bonus programs. We’re talking welcome bonuses and some sweet recurring deals. On top of that, most online casinos offer a VIP lane, and there’s always some races and tournaments cooking. Stick around as we break down each type of bonus.
Welcome Bonus
The welcome bonus is like a little extra cherry on top of your deposit, often paired with some free spins to get you in the groove. The top-dog online casinos spread this love over a few initial deposits, giving you a dope welcome package to start with.
Regular Player Bonuses
For the loyal crew, there’s more where that came from. Dive into the regular bonus scene, and you might score weekly reload bonuses, cashback deals, and some tailored promos just for you.
Races and Tournaments
Jumping into races and tournaments isn’t just about extra cash – it’s about leveling up your game. Whether it’s the casino or its providers throwing these gigs, anyone game enough can jump in. Just sign up, get in on the listed games, and rack up those tournament points. The more you snag by the end, the higher you climb on that leaderboard, meaning a fatter payday.
Sports betting in Switzerland
Sports betting? It’s all cool if you’re doing it in licensed joints. You’ve got options: classic bookie shops or the online scene. But here’s the catch – officially, you can only place online bets through one of the two lottery giants. Still, it’s all talk – there ain’t any real heat for playing in offshore spots. This isn’t just about the bookies, but online casinos too.
So, the heavy hitters in sports betting? You’ve got the big lottery companies: Swisslos and Loterie Romande, and a ton of international bookmakers like Interwetten, Stake, bet365, Parimatch, and MelBet.
Also, gotta shout out the sports scene. With all those killer mountains, winter sports are big-time. Whether it’s the locals or the sporty tourists, everyone’s sliding down those slopes. We’ve cooked up a list of the top sports in Switzerland, and trust me, it’s lit.
Skiing – It’s no wonder that Swiss ski resorts are among the most visited in the whole world. This sport is so popular with the locals that, according to some estimates, about 40% of the country’s population regularly hit the slopes. Swiss professional athletes have brought home more than 55 medals from the Olympics in various skiing events.
Football – Being a European country, Switzerland couldn’t just pass by this sport. The Swiss are active not only in watching football matches but also in playing them. By some counts, more than 10,000 football matches are held across the country every week. There are 2 major professional leagues, the Swiss Super League and Swiss Challenge, where professional-level matches are regularly played.
Hockey – The second most popular team sport is, without a doubt, hockey. Switzerland has a national league that regularly attracts a massive number of fans. The Swiss love watching hockey so much that they’re one of the most active nations in Europe in terms of attending hockey games.
Tennis – A lot of Swiss people regularly play tennis, both at the “home” and amateur levels. Every year, more than 4,000 teams participate in various tournaments. The most attended tournament is the Swiss Indoor, held in Basel. Worth noting, Switzerland is also home to the International Tennis Federation.
Schwingen – Popular in Switzerland is a form of wrestling known as “Alpine wrestling.” Its origins go back to the early 19th century, when various “wrestling festivals” were regularly held in Switzerland. The main goal for the wrestler is to lay their opponent on the ground, with the unique twist being that the fighting doesn’t take place on a mat but in a circle of sawdust.
Convenient payment systems
Just like in most countries, the most popular method of depositing in online casinos or betting offices is using various banking services. This includes direct bank card replenishments, as well as different banking, or even postal, transfers. However, the country is also seeing a rise in popularity of various alternative methods, including e-wallets, prepaid card services, various mobile apps, and even cryptocurrencies. We’ll delve into the most popular deposit methods right now.
VISA/MasterCard
This method is the most popular because of its simplicity and accessibility. You can top up your account with Visa/MasterCard almost instantly and without fees. The only downside is the need to disclose your card details and the possible glitches when depositing into offshore establishments.
Twint
Twint’s this dope Swiss mobile app that, among other things, lets you juice up your online casino account. After you download and sign up, you can link it to your bank, top it up straight from there, or get this special credit code, which you can snag at almost any store. Once that’s sorted, you’re good to go and can use the app to drop some dough online or at store checkouts.
PaySafeCard
This is a solid prepaid card service that makes depositing into online casinos a breeze while also keeping things on the down-low. The deal’s simple: you buy the prepaid card for whatever amount you want, then use it online just like any regular card.
E-wallets
Rolling with e-wallets not only has your back when it comes to keeping your data hush-hush but also makes the deposit process smooth as butter. Once you’re registered with one of these bad boys, you can fill ’em up however you want, and in a jiffy, be sending cash around the world. The top dogs in the e-wallet game are PayPal, Neteller, and Skrill.
Cryptocurrencies
This method’s still the new kid on the block but is gaining a solid fanbase fast. The reason’s clear as day: cryptos are both accessible and handy. You can grab some using your bank card directly on exchanges or through various apps. After buying, you simply send over the amount you want to the casino’s account, and in a hot minute, you’re ready to play.
NOTIFY Unlike some countries trying to throw shade at cryptos or put them on a tight leash, Switzerland’s chill about it. Even though it doesn’t have the official “currency” title, heaps of spots in Switzerland are happy to take it. You can pay with it online or even at some coffee joints and shops. So, you’re golden to buy crypto for whatever floats your boat, be it investing, buying stuff, or throwing it into an online casino or betting shop.
Popular gambling providers in Switzerland
Switzerland’s got a thing for some off-the-beaten-path providers that offer a smorgasbord of themes. But the Swiss also dig quality graphics and slick game mechanics in their slots. Considering how advanced the industry is right now, finding all this isn’t rocket science. So, we thought we’d whip up a list of the most banging providers.
iSoftBet
This provider hit the scene back in 2010. Since then, they’ve churned out about 200 slots, with some of ’em paying homage to big-time TV shows and flicks. Another dope feature? Their special jackpots that can pop off anytime – from pocket change to a fat stack.
Greentube
An old hand in the game, these guys started out making land-based games. They caught the drift that gambling was moving online and pivoted, adapting their ground games for the web. That move earned ’em some serious street cred.
NetEnt
The OG Swedish developer that’s got a bit of everything in its toolkit. They’re known for their wide-ranging themes and killer slot series like Gonzo’s Quest. All this, paired with their progressive jackpot system, makes them a fan fave.
Wazdan
Been on the block since 2009, these folks are all about crafting slots with a vast range of themes. One of their big hitters is Larry the Leprechaun – even if you’ve never heard of Wazdan, you’ve probably given this slot a whirl. Swiss players are all over this provider for their wicked themes and slick graphics.
Red Tiger
These cats, like NetEnt, are now rolling with the big dog, Evolution Gaming. But they still rock their own brand since they’ve made a name for themselves worldwide. They keep players coming back with their top-tier games and a buffet of gaming mechanics. Their slots aren’t just eye candy, they keep things spicy with all kinds of in-game events.
Land-based casinos in Switzerland
Switzerland’s first-ever casino opened its doors in 1881. It had a good run till 1921 when it had to shut shop because the bigwigs decided to put the kibosh on gambling. But after the game got the green light in 1993, they were back in business. As mentioned, there’s a rule in Switzerland: each canton can have only one casino. Right now, there are around 20 of these joints up and running. Worth noting: Switzerland’s got two types of licenses they hand out to these places.
License type
Title
Conditions
Number
A
Grand casinos
– Maximum bet – 25 CHF – No limit on the number of tables and slot machines – Progressive jackpots are allowed
10
B
Resort, spa casinos
– No more than 3 gaming tables – Maximum bet – 25 CHF – Progressive jackpots are prohibited
10
Let’s deep dive into some of the hottest gambling joints in Switzerland.
Casino Lugano – This is the big kahuna, one of the OGs of Swiss casinos, which opened its doors way back in 1885. But check this, it started out as a theater. It didn’t turn into a full-blown casino until 1912. You’ll find it kickin’ in Lugano, Ticino canton. It’s run by the Swiss bigwigs and the Austrian squad at Casinos Austria. You can play here with euros or Swiss francs – dealer’s choice.
Their game selection? Off the hook! They’re boasting over 400 slot machines (from classic slots to video poker and electronic roulette) and around 27 tables for all you card sharks out there (think American and French roulette, poker, blackjack, punto banco, and baccarat). They’ve even got a dedicated poker room where you can play everything from 7-card stud to Texas hold’em. And for the high rollers, they host the Swiss Poker Championship. Epic, right?
Swiss Casinos Zürich – Coming in second in size, it’s nestled in Zurich. The big Swiss company, Swiss Casinos Services AG, runs the show here. Don’t let its modest outer vibe fool ya, step inside and it’s all glitz and glam.
When it comes to gaming, they’ve got around 280 slot machines (both old-school and the latest branded ones), about 32 tables for card and table games (like American roulette and blackjack), and electronic roulettes with 32 gaming terminals. They’ve also got their own poker room where you can jump into cash games or tourneys.
Lotteries and other gambling entertainment in Switzerland
Over in Switzerland, lotteries are all the rage – they’re legal and mega popular. Word on the street is that nearly half of the adult population takes a shot at it. Historically, each canton ran its own show, but small operators teamed up over time. Now, the lottery scene is dominated by two big dogs: Swisslos and Loterie Romande. Let’s drop some knowledge about the most popular ones.
Swiss Lotto – Run by Swisslos, this is the biggest lottery in Switzerland. They do the draw twice a week: every Wednesday at 7 pm local time and Saturday at 5 pm. To get in on the action, you’ll need to drop 2.5 CHF for a ticket, pick 6 numbers between 1 and 42, a lucky number between 1 and 6, or just go for a quick pick. Easy peasy!
One cool feature? You can pick all 6 of your lucky numbers at once, plus up to 8 main numbers. This boosts your odds of hitting the jackpot, but your ticket’s price is gonna skyrocket. If you’re feeling extra, you can drop another 2 CHF to get in on the Joker lottery. They’ll deal you 6 random numbers, and if you match ‘em all, you’re taking home the Joker’s pot.
The minimum jackpot for the main draw? A sweet 1.5 million francs. This jackpot’s the type that rolls over – so if nobody hits it big, it just gets fatter for the next round. The fattest pots ever? We’re talking:
48.6 million CHF from December 2014
45.5 million CHF from August 2020
37.7 million CHF from March 2021
Overall, there are 8 prize tiers to shoot for.
Prize category
Required matches
Probability of fallout
1
6 + lucky number
1 : 31 474 716
2
6
1 : 6 294 943
3
5 + lucky number
1 : 145 716
4
5
1 : 29 143
5
4 + lucky number
1 : 3331
6
4
1 : 666
7
3 + lucky number
1 : 220
8
3
1 : 44
Loto Express – Another hot ticket in Switzerland, brought to you by Loterie Romande. Some peeps might know it as Keno, and it’s drawn frequently, but the wins are modest. Draws happen every 5 minutes. To play, you pick between 3 to 10 numbers or let the machine do the picking. They’ll randomly draw 20 out of 80 numbers. More matches, fatter paycheck.
The minimum ticket price is 3 CHF for 3 numbers. For an extra 2 CHF, you can juice up your game with the BOOST feature, multiplying your win anywhere from 2x to 10x. You can even double-dip in the same draw up to 5 times. Each re-entry sets you back at least 3 CHF, depending on the extras.
Now, a quick side note on another Swiss fave: poker. Recent buzz says poker isn’t seen as a game of chance in Switzerland, but more like a “skill game”. This makes it way easier to host games and the authorities are chill about it. Want high-stakes offline poker? Hit up any brick-and-mortar Swiss casino. If you’re going low-stakes, you can play just about anywhere.
As for online poker, it’s all kosher if you’re playing in rooms either based in Switzerland or paired up with a Swiss land-based casino. Big names in the online poker scene that accept Swiss players include Pokerstars and iPoker, among a few others.
Reliability and safety of online casinos in Switzerland
When it comes to playing it safe in Swiss online casinos, it’s top-notch. It ain’t just because they’ve got their own gambling watchdog and laws in place, but they also keep a hawk-eye on those running the show. Since you can only open an online casino if you’ve got a ground license, you won’t run into any hiccups playing at local joints. And if by some wild chance you do, you can hit up the local SFGB commission.
Now, for those high rollers who fancy offshore spots, there’s always the question of safety. Most foreign joints welcoming the Swiss are kinda in the “gray zone” ’cause they don’t have that local stamp of approval. So, is it chill to roll the dice there?
Here’s the lowdown: Yeah, it’s cool, especially if the casino’s got a global license like from MGA or Curacao. These big guns actively monitor operators and shut down any funny business. But if you ever get played, you can always drop a line directly to the gambling commission.
Conclusion
To sum it all up, even though gambling was off-limits in Switzerland for a hot minute and only started popping off late in the 20th century, it’s now fully on the map. Both land-based and online versions are making waves. Switzerland’s got a ton of both brick-and-mortar and online casinos, and that’s not even counting the bookies, lotteries, and of course, poker. There might be a few hitches accessing international services, but ain’t nobody saying it’s off-limits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are online casinos legal in Switzerland?
Fully legal in Switzerland are only those online casinos whose owners have the appropriate land-based establishment and license. Playing in offshore establishments is not prohibited, but with access to them can be a problem.
Are there any land-based casinos in Switzerland?
There are about 20 land-based casinos in Switzerland. They are located in almost every canton. Their size and gaming arsenal varies quite a bit from establishment to establishment.
Is sports betting allowed in Switzerland?
Yes, but there are several local bookmakers and a number of authorized foreign companies operating in Switzerland.
Are lotteries legal in Switzerland?
Lotteries are the most popular form of gambling in Switzerland. There are 2 major companies in the country: Swisslos and Loterie Romande, which conduct most lotteries.
Can I play poker in Switzerland?
In Switzerland, poker is considered a “game of skill”, so you can play it not only in casinos, but also in any other establishments. The only difference is the size of the stakes, only in the casino is available to play high stakes. Online poker is also legal, provided you have the appropriate license. The most popular online poker rooms in Switzerland are PokerStars and the iPoker network.
24.01.2022 | Date updated: 17 July 2024
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