License Name
Swiss Casino Licence Type A / Type B (Grand Casino and Restricted Casino Licence)
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Issuing Country/Region
Switzerland
Regulatory Body
Swiss Federal Gaming Board (Eidgenössische Spielbankenkommission, ESBK)
Types of Regulated Games
Casino games (table games, slot machines), online casino games (subject to extensions)
Market Coverage
Local (Switzerland)
Regulator's Reputation
Excellent
Legal Entity Requirements
Company must be a limited company incorporated under Swiss law
Minimum Share Capital
Sufficient capital as determined by business plan and legal thresholds; must support economic viability
Directors and Shareholders Requirements
Shareholders and beneficial owners must have a good reputation, provide guarantee for proper management, and sufficient funds of lawful origin; disclosure required for over 5% shareholding
Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Requirements
Full compliance with Swiss AMLA, including robust KYC, record keeping, due diligence, and reporting obligations; identity checks required for casino entry and high-value transactions
Data Protection Requirements
Swiss data protection law applies
Reporting Requirements
Regular reporting to ESBK; changes in shareholdings over 5% must be reported; financial and operational reports as required by law
Audit Requirements
Regular independent audits required
Software Certification Requirements
Casino software and games must be certified for fairness and regulatory compliance
RNG Certification
Certified for fairness and compliance to Swiss standards
Payment System Requirements
Payments via approved and monitored financial intermediaries; AML controls apply
Server Location Requirements
For online extension, technical infrastructure likely required within Switzerland
Domain Name Requirements
No specific public record, but generally must target Swiss market
Language Support Requirements
Support for local languages (German, French, Italian)
Currency Support Requirements
Swiss Franc (CHF)
Background Checks
Mandatory for key personnel, directors, and significant shareholders
License Scope Restrictions
Type A unrestricted (no stake or game limits); Type B limited (e.g., 3 table games, CHF 25 max slot bet, no jackpot pooling)
Jurisdictional Tax Compliance
Full compliance with Swiss federal and (Type B) cantonal gaming taxes
Player Data Storage Requirements
Compliance with Swiss data protection and ESBK regulations
Cross-Border Operations
License valid only for operations within Switzerland; no international scope
License Application Transparency
Public register of licensees; transparent, rule-based application process
Regulatory Contact Point
Swiss Federal Gaming Board
Compliance Officer Requirement
Required as part of licensee obligations
Local Partnership Requirements
Not specified for casino licenses
Legal Dispute Resolution
Swiss courts have jurisdiction; regulatory action per ESBK/Swiss law
License Transferability
Concession is not transferable
Sub-Licensing Rules
Sub-licensing is not permitted
License Cost
Not specified in public sources; substantial initial and recurring fees apply
Annual Fees
Not specified in public sources; substantial annual fees and contributions to AVS/social funds required
Income Taxes
Federal gaming tax; for Type A casinos, 100% of income tax goes to AVS (Swiss social insurance); for Type B, 60% to AVS, 40% to canton
Player Winnings Taxes
Players’ winnings not generally subject to withholding; check local tax law for exceptions
Financial Guarantees
Licensees must demonstrate sufficient financial guarantees and reserves
Business Plan Requirements
Detailed, credible business plan required for application
Internal Policy Requirements
Social protection and responsible gaming program required
Physical Office Requirements
Casino must be physically located in Switzerland as specified by license zone
Responsible Gaming Measures
Strict responsible gaming requirements, including mandatory ID checks, exclusion lists, and staff training
Self-Exclusion System
Yes; robust national self-exclusion database
Age Verification Procedures
Strict age and ID verification for all entrants (passport, resident permit, Swiss driver’s license)
KYC Procedures
Required for transactions above AML thresholds and for all regulatory mandated cases
Complaint Handling Procedures
Regulated process; complaints may be submitted to ESBK
Permitted Games List
Type A—most casino games with no stake/game cap; Type B—limited to 3 table games, restricted slots, no pooled jackpots, lower stakes
Betting Limits
Type B—maximum CHF 25 per slot bet; further limitations to table game stakes
Jackpot Regulations
Only Type A can have connected jackpots
License Duration
20-year licenses, renewable
Renewal Procedure
Review and extension required; subject to compliance and regulatory assessment
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Fines, suspension, or revocation for breaches; specific sanctions depend on the violation
Ownership Change Rules
Any acquisition exceeding 5% share must be reported to ESBK; material changes assessed for ongoing compliance
Mergers and Acquisitions Rules
Subject to ESBK approval; ongoing compliance requirements
Official Address
Eidgenössische Spielbankenkommission ESBK, Laupenstrasse 27, CH-3003 Bern, Switzerland
Work Hours
Monday to Friday, 8:30 – 12:00, 13:30 – 17:00
Departments
Licensing, Compliance, Supervision, Enforcement, Legal Affairs, Social Responsibility
FAQ Question 1
What is Swiss Casino Licence Type A / Type B (Grand Casino and Restricted Casino Licence)?
FAQ Answer 1
The Swiss Casino Licence Types A and B are federal licenses issued by the Swiss Federal Gaming Board to operate casinos in Switzerland. Type A (Grand Casino) allows unlimited table games and slots with no maximum stakes, while Type B (Restricted Casino) permits a limited number of games and restricted stakes.
FAQ Question 2
Which jurisdiction issues Swiss Casino Licence Type A / Type B?
FAQ Answer 2
Switzerland, through the Swiss Federal Gaming Board (Eidgenössische Spielbankenkommission, ESBK)
FAQ Question 3
What is the cost of obtaining Swiss Casino Licence Type A / Type B?
FAQ Answer 3
Information not found in publicly available sources.
FAQ Question 4
What are the main requirements for Swiss Casino Licence Type A / Type B?
FAQ Answer 4
Applicants must be Swiss-incorporated companies with solid financial standing, credible management, sufficient capital, detailed business plans, robust AML and social responsibility programs, certified systems, and pass comprehensive background checks. Only non-transferable 20-year licenses are granted, subject to regulatory reporting and audits