Executive Summary
On 19 June 2026, the Federal Council took note of the 2025 Activity Report of the Swiss Federal Gaming Commission (SFGC). The new concession period 2025–2044 led to structural changes in the Swiss casino landscape: individual casinos closed partially or temporarily, while others expanded their offerings. The total number of casinos remained stable. Gross gaming revenue amounted to 878 million francs, with online growth (+1.2%) and land-based decline (–3.9%). The SFGC intensified its fight against illegal gambling through 28 house searches and blocking of 580 new domains.
Persons
- Swiss Federal Gaming Commission (SFGC) (Regulatory Authority)
Topics
- Swiss casino regulation
- Gaming market
- Online gambling
- Illegal gambling
- AHV/IV financing
Clarus Lead
Market changes reveal a structural upheaval: while traditional land-based casinos lose significance (–3.9%), the regulated online sector gains momentum. Relevant for cantons and municipalities is the decline in casino levies to 353 million francs (–1.3%), which directly benefits AHV/IV. The SFGC simultaneously signals stricter enforcement against illegal offerings, indicating growing competitive pressure.
Detailed Summary
The concession period 2025–2044 marks a turning point in the Swiss casino landscape. While the total number of licensed casinos remained unchanged, significant market shifts occurred: individual establishments ceased operations entirely or partially, or went into temporary closure, while others expanded their offerings. This dynamic indicates consolidation processes and a reorientation following changed concession conditions.
Revenue development reveals a mixed picture. The online sector grew by 1.2 percent in 2025 and remains the market's growth driver. The land-based sector, by contrast, shrank by 3.9 percent – a trend that continues. Overall, gross gaming revenue reached 878 million francs. This development had direct consequences for the public sector: casino levies, which flow entirely into AHV/IV, declined to 353 million francs.
The SFGC significantly increased its supervisory activities against illegal offerings. In 2025, the Commission conducted 28 house searches and blocked 580 new domains of unauthorized online gaming offerings – an increase of nearly 30 percent compared to the previous year. In parallel, the SFGC worked on 209 open criminal investigations and issued 75 penalty decisions. This intensification underscores the complexity of enforcement: criminal proceedings require technical and legal expertise as well as close cooperation with police authorities.
Key Messages
- New concession period leads to market restructuring with stable casino numbers
- Online gambling grows (+1.2%), land-based casinos shrink (–3.9%)
- Casino levies for AHV/IV decline to 353 million francs
- SFGC intensifies fight against illegal gambling: 30% more blocked domains, 75 penalty decisions
Critical Questions
Evidence: Which specific casinos ceased operations or closed temporarily in 2025? The report provides no names – how is transparency ensured toward affected regions?
Data Quality: Does the "gross gaming revenue" statistic include winnings from illegal online offerings, or does the figure refer exclusively to licensed operations?
Causality: Is the decline in the land-based sector (–3.9%) primarily attributable to new concession conditions, or do other factors play a role (inflation, consumer behavior, competition from illegal offerings)?
Conflicts of Interest: To what extent does AHV/IV's dependence on casino levies influence SFGC regulatory policy? Are there incentives to promote the online sector to compensate for shortfalls?
Feasibility: With 209 open criminal investigations – how long does an average proceeding against illegal providers take, and how effective is domain blocking given technical circumvention possibilities?
Side Effects: Could intensified prosecution of illegal offerings increasingly drive players toward unregulated, foreign platforms?
Source Directory
Primary Source: [2025 Activity Report of the Swiss Federal Gaming Commission (SFGC)] – https://www.news.admin.ch/de/newnsb/JnicL5sO8gIX
Verification Status: ✓ 19.06.2026
This text was created with the support of an AI model. Editorial Responsibility: clarus.news | Fact-Checking: 19.06.2026