Switzerland is preparing to develop a new legal procedure related to the granting of licenses for operating casinos and online gambling.
As of December 31, 2024, all licenses granted to operate casinos and online casino games in Switzerland will expire. On April 27, 2022, the Federal Council decided to re-grant 23 licenses (10 A licenses and 13 B licenses) to entrepreneurs operating in this industry in Switzerland. Here is an overview of the new procedure:
Concession procedure:
From June 1, 2022 to October 31, 2022 (the last date for submitting applications), it was possible to submit applications to the SFGB for consideration by the Federal Council. The SFGB had a legal obligation to publish details of all requests at a later date. The SFGB engaged the cantons and communes of the locations of individual companies applying for a new license to give opinions on the details of the procedure. Upon completion of the review of applications, the SFGB will submit the application to the Federal Council for consideration by the FDJP. From today's perspective, the Federal Council is expected to make a decision on the granting of the concession in autumn 2023. There is no appeal against this decision.
License application:
In the online casino license application, applicants must provide detailed information about themselves, their organization and their partnerships. In addition, entrepreneurs who apply for a license must explain how they will ensure, in the case of traditional gambling games, that they will meet all legal requirements and achieve the objectives of the Swiss Cash Games Act. Exactly the same requirements apply to applications for extending online gaming licenses.
Deadlines and costs:
Candidates may request the possibility to submit their application documents in an editable format via email to info@esbk.admin.ch.
Consideration of applications requires an advance payment to cover costs. This amounts to CHF 100,000 if the application is for a casino concession or CHF 150,000 if the application is for a concession with its extension. The advance payment for the costs of the proceedings is necessary before submitting the application and is a prerequisite for the subsequent examination of the application by the SFGB.
Applicants were required to pre-register their applications (by e-mail to info@esbk.admin.ch) in the SFGB by July 15, 2022, at the same time indicating the location where they intend to operate and whether they will apply for an extension of the operating license except for the license itself.
Concession applications had to be submitted to the SFGB for the attention of the Federal Council by October 31, 2022.
