Legal online casino in Switzerland: what are the conditions for playing?

News | 07/03/2023

PASINO.ch allows you to play online in a 100% legal and safe environment, under the supervision of the SFGB. Access conditions, identity verification, taxation of winnings... find out everything you need to know before playing. Since 2019, Switzerland has authorised access to certain platforms dedicated to online casino games. While this government decision is a real opportunity for many enthusiasts, many questions are regularly raised by players.

What legal provisions directly concern Swiss Internet users? Do you have to declare your winnings from one of our games (or via another operator)? This article will give you all the answers you need.

Casino games are particularly well regulated in Switzerland

The SFGB and its crucial role

While some European countries do not legally recognise any platforms offering casino games, Switzerland stands out thanks to a reassuring regulatory framework for fans of slots, blackjack, poker and other web-based entertainment. The SFGB (Swiss Federal Gaming Board) is responsible for regulating online gambling activities by authorising certain operators (naturally, PASINO.ch is on the list of sites recognised by the SFGB).

To obtain a licence granted by this commission, a large number of analyses must be carried out by a number of independent laboratories. The presence of a fair and safe gaming system is one of the conditions required of every operator accessible from Switzerland.

Objective: to combat online scams

Some Swiss may think that the regulation of online casino games can be restrictive and limit the availability of operators. It is true that other countries have access to numerous platforms with licences granted by the island of Curaçao, for example.

Nevertheless, the majority of these sites are affected by questionable user policies where the risks of scams may be considered. Obviously, this information is particularly worrying for a number of reasons:

The integrity of the services offered may be called into question.
The use of banking data via a non-secure site could lead to information leaks (hacking attempts).
The poor availability of customer service can affect the experience of Internet users.
Resolving disputes with an operator often involves a number of complex procedures.

In such situations, the supervision provided by the SFGB will naturally be seen as a real opportunity for Swiss players.

Criteria	Legal casino in Switzerland (SFGB)	Illegal casino
Swiss licence	Yes ✅	No ❌
Guaranteed payment of winnings	Yes ✅	No ❌
Player protection	Yes ✅	No ❌
Recourse in the event of a dispute	Yes ✅	Often unclear 🤔
Regulated bonuses	Yes ✅	No ❌

When did online casinos become legal in Switzerland?

Contrary to popular belief, platforms offering online casino games have only «recently» been legally recognised. In fact, the Federal Gambling Act, designed to authorise and regulate certain operators, came into force on 1 January 2019. This date represents a real turning point for players in the online gambling sector.

The Act regulates the legality, conduct, and use of proceeds from gambling in Switzerland. Its main goals are:

To protect players from gambling addiction and excessive gambling.
To ensure the safe and transparent operation of gambling.
To direct net profits from gambling to public and charitable purposes.
To fund national social security through taxes on gambling revenue.

Operators licensed by the SFGB must comply with a number of characteristics that are essential for players, such as the RTP (Rate of Return to Player). In other words, a Swiss licence guarantees a legal and transparent RTP. On the other hand, operators considered to be illegal are under no obligation in this respect and have no supervisory body.

Licenses reserved for certain land-based casinos

Contrary to popular belief, SFGB licenses are only issued to certain land-based casinos in Switzerland. For your information, PASINO.ch is directly linked to the Casino du Lac Meyrin (Geneva).

A 100% legal gaming offer is essential to guarantee payment of your winnings. Otherwise, resolving a dispute will involve a number of particularly complex legal procedures.

What about the laws applied to Swiss players?

While regulation by the Swiss Federal Gaming Board guarantees a secure environment for gamblers, a key question remains: what laws actually apply to Swiss gamblers?

First condition: residence in Switzerland

It's important to note that Swiss online casinos are strictly reserved for individuals who are domiciled or habitually resident in Switzerland. This means that access is based on your place of residence, not your nationality.

Do you live in Switzerland with a valid residence permit (e.g., Permit B, C, etc.) ? Then you're eligible to enjoy online casino games from licensed Swiss platforms legally and securely.

Sending proof of registration

Registering with a Swiss-licensed online casino, such as PASINO.ch, takes just a few minutes. However, an essential step follows registration: verification of your identity.

To do this, you'll need the following documents:

A photocopy of your identity document
Proof of address (invoice, work permit, payslip or cantonal certificate)

This step is essential to check that your player profile is correct.

In addition, this process ensures an optimal experience for every Internet user by filtering out certain undesirable registrations (duplicate profiles, identity theft, etc.).

Each profile is confirmed by sending and checking supporting documents.

If this process is not respected, the player's account will be suspended after the expiry of the communicated deadline.

In addition, during this «provisional validity» period, certain functionalities will become inaccessible (such as withdrawal requests).

Do you have to declare your online casino winnings in Switzerland?

Another pertinent question is regularly raised by Swiss players: should winnings from online casino games be declared? The answer to this question depends above all on the value of your winning wagers. This extract from the SFGB website provides all the information on the subject:

«Winnings from Swiss casinos are not subject to tax. Winnings in online casino games are subject to withholding tax from CHF 1 million (tax-free; this means that winnings are subject to withholding tax from CHF 1'000'001; see art. 6 al. 1 LIA in conjunction with art. 24 let. i and ibis LIFD). In the case of cash winnings, a 35% withholding tax must be deducted by the organizer, declared on form 121 and remitted to the Federal Tax Administration (FTA). In the case of a gain in kind exceeding the CHF 1 million deductible, the organizer must declare the gain subject to withholding tax to the FTA within 90 days, using the new Form 122.»

Casino gamblers can rest assured that the tax rate (35% of winnings) applies only to winnings of CHF 1'000'001 or more from a single wager. Obviously, this situation is particularly rare. Amounts less than this will not be taxed in Switzerland (similar arrangements apply to land-based and online casinos).

Responsible gaming is a priority

In contrast to other European countries, Switzerland imposes a responsible gambling policy on its players. This means that every legal platform offering online casino games must provide all the options and features necessary to safeguard the well-being of its players.

In this respect, PASINO.ch sets itself apart from other competing models by accompanying every enthusiast from the moment he or she registers. Similarly, we offer players a customer service dedicated entirely to responsible gaming, where every question or request is carefully considered.

National exclusion

Finally, the responsible gaming policy applied by Swiss online casinos includes, in certain cases, the permanent exclusion of certain players. Although this is a rare measure, it is an important safeguard in cases of addictive behavior. In fact, on simple request or as a result of spending deemed excessive, a player can be placed on a national exclusion list, shared by all Swiss and Liechtenstein gaming establishments, whether physical or online.

In the event of exclusion, the player concerned will be automatically identified to prevent any deposits or withdrawals associated with casino games. In the event of exclusion, the player concerned will be notified digitally (or by post). The exclusion has immediate effect, and cannot be re-evaluated without concrete arguments.

Are welcome bonuses allowed in Switzerland?

Even though gambling advertising is strictly regulated in Switzerland, legal online casinos can offer welcome bonuses within the framework set by the SFGB. These offers vary from one licensed operator to another, and must always be clearly displayed, with transparent terms and conditions.

At PASINO.ch we are currently offering a welcome bonus of up to CHF 500 and 350 free spins for the Lucky Lady's Charm deluxe slot. This offer is reserved for newly registered players.

FAQ - Legal casino gambling in Switzerland

How can I check whether a Swiss online casino is legal?

An online casino is legal in Switzerland if it appears on the official list published by the SFGB. It must :

Be linked to a Swiss land-based casino
Clearly display its SFGB license
Offer responsible gaming tools and identity verification

What are the conditions for opening an account at a Swiss online casino?

To register with a legal casino in Switzerland, you must:

Be 18 years of age or older
Be ordinarily resident in Switzerland
Not be listed in a national exclusion register
Provide valid proof of identity and residence

Can I play from abroad with a Swiss account?

No. Access to Swiss online casinos is restricted to persons domiciled or ordinarily resident in Switzerland. Players from abroad cannot register or play legally on these platforms.

To conclude

Online casino games enjoy a reassuring framework in Switzerland. However, as a player, every piece of information previously mentioned in this article must be meticulously respected. Last but not least, a responsible gaming policy is an essential feature in preserving your well-being while enjoying an optimal experience. In short, by choosing a legal gaming offer, you benefit from services that are adapted and designed locally by Swiss people... For Swiss players!

For the time being, we wish you the best of luck in your next PASINO.ch games. Who knows, you might even get lucky in the next few minutes!