License Name
Eidgenössische Spielbankenkommission Online Casino Licence
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Issuing Country/Region
Switzerland
Regulatory Body
Eidgenössische Spielbankenkommission (ESBK)
Types of Regulated Games
Online casino games, including poker, roulette, slots
Market Coverage
Local (Switzerland only)
Regulator's Reputation
Excellent
Legal Entity Requirements
Applicant must be a limited company incorporated under Swiss law with registered shares
Minimum Share Capital
Sufficient capital required; applicant must demonstrate economic viability
Directors and Shareholders Requirements
Candidates, shareholders, and beneficiaries must meet strict trustworthiness and financial standing criteria
Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Requirements
Full compliance with the Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA) and AMLO-SFGB; mandatory risk-based due diligence, identity verification, record-keeping, suspicious transaction reporting, and PEP identification
Data Protection Requirements
Compliance with Swiss Federal Data Protection Act (FADP) and, in certain cases, EU GDPR
Reporting Requirements
Regular economic reporting to facilitate tax assessment and ensure transparency
Audit Requirements
Regular audits as prescribed by Swiss law and ESBK
Software Certification Requirements
All gaming software must be certified by independent approved test laboratories and comply with ESBK technical standards
RNG Certification
Certification of random number generators is required to ensure fairness
Payment System Requirements
Only certified and legal payment providers permitted; strict controls to prevent illicit transactions
Server Location Requirements
Must comply with Swiss regulatory standards for data security and access; location must support compliance and supervision
Domain Name Requirements
Must not use international domains aimed at Swiss consumers without a local license; unlicensed domains are blacklisted and blocked
Language Support Requirements
Support for official Swiss languages (German, French, Italian) is mandatory
Currency Support Requirements
Swiss Franc (CHF) required; allowance for other major currencies may exist, but CHF is standard
Legal Compliance Costs
Significant; initial application payment CHF 100,000–150,000 required to commence process
Background Checks
Stringent personal, criminal, and financial background checks on directors, shareholders, and key personnel
License Scope Restrictions
Only licensed land-based casinos can apply for online licenses; foreign-only or non-land-based operators barred
Jurisdictional Tax Compliance
Strict compliance with Swiss casino and corporate tax obligations
Player Data Storage Requirements
Player data storage subject to Swiss data protection requirements; data often stored locally or in EU-compliant jurisdictions
Cross-Border Operations
No offering to foreign players; only licensed for Swiss market
License Application Transparency
Applications and results subject to rigorous review by ESBK and Federal Council; strict transparency and public scrutiny
Regulatory Contact Point
ESBK designated as the main regulatory contact
Compliance Officer Requirement
Appointment of a responsible compliance officer for AML and regulatory matters is required
Local Partnership Requirements
Only existing land-based Swiss casinos may apply for online rights
Legal Dispute Resolution
Swiss law and courts have jurisdiction over disputes
License Transferability
Not transferable; license is tied to the approved legal entity and location
Sub-Licensing Rules
Sub-licensing not permitted
License Cost
CHF 100,000 for concession application; CHF 150,000 for concession and extension application, paid in advance
Annual Fees
Determined by ESBK and subject to casino turnover; includes cost of compliance and contribution to social insurance funds
Income Taxes
Swiss casino taxes apply; significant portion allocated to Swiss social insurance
Player Winnings Taxes
No withholding tax on player winnings reported for online casino games; compliance with Swiss law required
Financial Guarantees
Applicants must prove available funds from legitimate sources and maintain sufficient liquidity
Liquidity Requirements
Must submit financial plans demonstrating ongoing liquidity
Financial Reporting Requirements
Details and frequency set by ESBK per regulatory conditions
Application Processing Time
Varies; initial approvals may take approximately six months to process
Required Documents
Company statutes, business plan, proof of capital/funds, security and social concepts, background and compliance documents, list of business partners and beneficiaries
Business Plan Requirements
Detailed and credible business plan is mandatory
Internal Policy Requirements
AML, KYC, responsible gaming, and operational policies required
Testing Requirements
Platform and gaming system testing by ESBK-approved labs
Certification Requirements
Gaming software and RNG certification by independent third party
Staff Qualifications
Trustworthiness and appropriate qualification required for key personnel
Physical Office Requirements
Physical presence in Switzerland required
Local Representative Requirements
Local directors and compliance officer necessary
Marketing Restrictions
Prohibition on advertising to minors and unlicensed operators; strict compliance mandatory
Responsible Gaming Measures
Strict responsible gaming measures including self-exclusion, deposit and playing limits, addiction prevention and treatment options
Self-Exclusion System
Centralized national self-exclusion system mandatory
Age Verification Procedures
Robust identification and age verification for all players
KYC Procedures
Comprehensive verification for source of funds and player identity
Customer Support Standards
Support must be available in the official languages of Switzerland
Complaint Handling Procedures
Clearly defined internal complaint procedures; ESBK may be contacted if unresolved
Player Funds Protection
Strict separation of player and operator funds
Payout Timelines
Mandated secure and efficient payout processes; timelines set by operator in compliance with law
Bonus and Promotion Regulations
Subject to clear terms and consumer protection rules
Permitted Games List
Only ESBK-approved casino games are permitted
Betting Limits
Maximum limits for certain games (e.g., poker tournaments capped at CHF 20,000 entry) as per ESBK rules
RTP Requirements
Return-to-player percentages must comply with ESBK-certified standards
Jackpot Regulations
Progressive jackpots permitted if approved by ESBK and in compliance with regulations
Live Game Requirements
Only allowed if offered and certified by licensed operator and ESBK
Mobile App Compliance
Subject to the same regulations as web-based online casinos
Affiliate Program Rules
Strict limitations; affiliates must not target Swiss domain holders without ESBK approval
Security Standards
ESBK mandates platform audits and information security management system (ISMS) alignment, typically with international standards (e.g., ISO 27001 recommended)
Encryption Requirements
Mandatory SSL/TLS encryption for all player data and payment processing
Backup Requirements
Regular backups and robust data protection protocols required
Monitoring Systems
Continuous monitoring and incident reporting required
Operation Logging
Full audit and operational logs required for all gambling activities
Anti-Fraud Systems
Mandatory advanced anti-fraud detection systems
API Integration Standards
Secure and compliant API integration standards for gaming, payments, and reporting
Hosting Requirements
Data storage and operational servers must ensure ESBK access and compliance
CDN Usage
Permitted if consistent with data security requirements
Scalability Requirements
Technical infrastructure must accommodate regulatory, operational, and player demand
Uptime Requirements
ESBK requires high availability and robust reliability; details per licensee
Technical Support Availability
24/7 technical support strongly recommended for operational continuity
License Duration
Typically 20 years for casino licenses, unless otherwise specified by ESBK
Renewal Procedure
Application for extension or renewal must be prepared and submitted before license expiry
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Severe penalties include license revocation, fines, and criminal prosecution
Ownership Change Rules
Changes to ownership or major beneficiaries require prior notification to and approval by ESBK
Mergers and Acquisitions Rules
Any corporate restructuring affecting the license requires regulatory approval
Subcontractor Regulations
Key service providers and business partners must be disclosed and approved by ESBK
Branding Requirements
Use of approved branding only; unlicensed or misleading use strictly prohibited
Intellectual Property Protection
Licensees must secure rights for all gaming content and software offered
Dispute Arbitration
Swiss jurisdiction for legal disputes; some alternative dispute resolution possible
Insurance Requirements
Applicants must demonstrate insurance coverage as per regulatory requirements
Charity Contributions
A portion of license fee revenue supports social insurance and public welfare funds in Switzerland
Staff Training Requirements
Responsible gaming and AML training for all staff members
Innovation Support
ESBK may allow, under strict control, innovative gaming features or technologies
Sustainability Initiatives
Commitment to social responsibility and harm reduction measures required but environmental requirements not specified
Accessibility Standards
Platforms must ensure accessibility according to Swiss law
Multilingual Support
Support for German, French, and Italian required
Cryptocurrency Support
No verified information on cryptocurrency acceptance; operations under strict payment system scrutiny
Esports Betting Regulations
Not regulated under ESBK casino license; covered by other authorities
Fantasy Sports Regulations
Not regulated under ESBK casino license; regulated separately
Official Address
Eigerplatz 1, 3003 Bern, Switzerland
Postal Address
Eigerplatz 1, 3003 Bern, Switzerland
Work Hours
Monday–Friday, 08:00–17:00
Departments
Licensing, Supervision, Player Protection, Legal and Enforcement
FAQ Question 1
What is Eidgenössische Spielbankenkommission Online Casino Licence?
FAQ Answer 1
Information not found in publicly available sources.
FAQ Question 2
Which jurisdiction issues Eidgenössische Spielbankenkommission Online Casino Licence?
FAQ Answer 2
Switzerland; issued and supervised by the Eidgenössische Spielbankenkommission (ESBK)
FAQ Question 3
What is the cost of obtaining Eidgenössische Spielbankenkommission Online Casino Licence?
FAQ Answer 3
Initial application processing requires payment of CHF 100,000–150,000 in advance. Ongoing fees depend on casino revenue and legal compliance costs.
FAQ Question 4
What are the main requirements for Eidgenössische Spielbankenkommission Online Casino Licence?
FAQ Answer 4
Requirements include incorporation as a Swiss limited company, financial viability, strict compliance with AML, data protection, responsible gaming, background checks, software certification, and ongoing audits