How can you tell if an online casino is legal in Switzerland?

News | 14/04/2026

With the fast growth of the online gaming market, many virtual casinos now attract Swiss players. But be careful: not all of them are legal in Switzerland. Choosing an unauthorized platform can lead to legal, financial, and security risks. Here is a simple and practical guide to identifying a legal Swiss online casino.

Check the license issued by the FGB

The first criterion is the official Swiss license, issued by the Federal Gaming Board (FGB). Only platforms with a Swiss license can legally operate online.

What to do:

Visit the website https://www.esbk.admin.ch/en
Check the list of authorized online casinos
Verify that the casino is on the official “whitelist”

Is the site affiliated with a Swiss land-based casino?

In Switzerland, only licensed land-based casinos are permitted to operate an online gambling site.

Example: PASINO.ch is licensed by the FGB because it is affiliated with the Casino du Lac Meyrin in Geneva.

❌ If the site is not affiliated with any Swiss land-based casino, it is illegal.

Are the payment methods Swiss?

A good indicator of legality is the availability of local payment methods, such as:

Twint
PostFinance
Swiss bank transfer

Legal Swiss casinos use bank accounts in Switzerland, managed in accordance with national standards. A site that only offers cryptocurrencies or foreign wallets (Skrill, Neteller...) often does not comply with Swiss law.

Is the website in French/German/Italian and tailored to Switzerland?

A legal Swiss casino is designed for residents of the country. It must therefore:

Be available in the national languages
Offer customer service based in Switzerland
Display the legal notices and the FGB license

Tip: Look for phrases such as “Casino authorized by the FGB,” “operated by...,” and the license number.

Compare with the FGB's blacklist

The FGB also publishes a blacklist of illegal or blocked websites in Switzerland. These platforms are banned because they operate without authorization and do not comply with Swiss laws. If an online casino appears on this list, you should absolutely avoid it.

Be cautious of bonuses that seem too good to be true

Illegal casinos often attract players with unrealistic offers:

Bonuses of 500% or more
Unlimited free spins
No verification required for withdrawals

A legal casino like PASINO.ch offers bonuses that are clearly defined, transparent, and subject to terms and conditions that comply with Swiss law.

Play safely at a licensed Swiss casino

Criteria	Legal ✅	Illegal ❌
FBG license	Oui ✅	No ❌
Affiliated with a land-based casino	Oui ✅	No ❌
Swiss payment methods	Oui ✅	No ❌
Included on the whitelist	Oui ✅	No ❌
Official Swiss languages	Oui ✅	No ❌
Swiss legal notices	Oui ✅	No ❌