License Name
Swiss Licence for Online Casinos and Betting (Gespa Operator and Game Licence)
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Issuing Country/Region
Switzerland
Regulatory Body
Swiss Gambling Supervisory Authority (Gespa)
Types of Regulated Games
Lotteries, sports betting, skill-based games (large-scale, including online)
Market Coverage
Local (Switzerland, intercantonal scope)
Regulator's Reputation
Very Good
Legal Entity Requirements
Must be domiciled or have a registered subsidiary in Switzerland
Minimum Share Capital
Must have sufficient own funds and prove legal origin of means
Directors and Shareholders Requirements
Must demonstrate good reputation, proper business conduct, independent management; background checks conducted
Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Requirements
Comprehensive AML policies and compliance required
Data Protection Requirements
Must comply with Swiss data protection laws, GDPR-aligned
Reporting Requirements
Regular operational and financial reporting to Gespa
Audit Requirements
Regular independent audits required
Software Certification Requirements
Games may be submitted to third-party statistical testing as part of licensing
RNG Certification
Skill games require assessment—including possible RNG or skill verification by third-parties
Payment System Requirements
No unlicensed/certified payment processors permitted
Server Location Requirements
Online gambling requires link to Swiss-licensed entity; server location usually in Switzerland or as authorized
Domain Name Requirements
No publicly verified requirement for Swiss-specific domains, but local presence required
Language Support Requirements
Services must be accessible in Switzerland's official languages (German, French, Italian)
Currency Support Requirements
Swiss Franc (CHF) mandatory
Legal Compliance Costs
Not publicly disclosed; includes legal, application, and regulatory fees
Background Checks
Required for key personnel and significant shareholders
License Scope Restrictions
Only allowed for approved games; foreign direct applicants not eligible (must have Swiss entity)
Jurisdictional Tax Compliance
Swiss tax compliance mandatory; Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) taxed by regulator
Player Data Storage Requirements
Must comply with Swiss data residency and protection requirements
Cross-Border Operations
Only permitted with Swiss-based entity or partnership
License Application Transparency
Review involves documented reputation and funding source checks
Regulatory Contact Point
Designated contact must be provided per application
Compliance Officer Requirement
Demonstration of compliance management is required
Local Partnership Requirements
Foreign entities must partner or form a subsidiary in Switzerland
Legal Dispute Resolution
Swiss courts and arbitration, with Gespa oversight
License Transferability
Not transferable without regulator’s consent
Sub-Licensing Rules
Sub-licensing not permitted
License Cost
Not publicly disclosed; fees apply at application and operational stages
Annual Fees
Not publicly disclosed; annual reports and supervision costs apply
Income Taxes
GGR taxes apply; in 2023, CHF409.3 million in casino-generated taxes paid to Swiss state
Player Winnings Taxes
No tax on player winnings for officially licensed games
Financial Guarantees
Applicant and beneficial owners must prove sufficient funds and lawful origin
Liquidity Requirements
Operators must demonstrate sufficient liquidity; precise numbers not public
Financial Reporting Requirements
Regular financial reports as per Gespa guidelines
Application Processing Time
New concessions granted for 2025–2044; timeline varies for new applicants
Required Documents
Company registration, proof of funds, identity documents, business plan, compliance documentation
Business Plan Requirements
Comprehensive business plan required with risk assessment
Internal Policy Requirements
AML, responsible gaming, and KYC policies mandatory
Testing Requirements
Technical and statistical testing as required by Gespa during licensing
Certification Requirements
Certification of relevant equipment/software as part of licensing evaluation
Staff Qualifications
Key personnel must pass reputation and professional assessment
Physical Office Requirements
Domicile or registered office in Switzerland required
Local Representative Requirements
Local legal presence or agent is mandatory
Marketing Restrictions
Unapproved gambling advertising is prohibited; only licensed offerings may advertise
Responsible Gaming Measures
Mandatory, including deposit/loss/timing limits, self-exclusion, and real-time monitoring systems
Self-Exclusion System
Self-exclusion via operator, with national registry
Age Verification Procedures
Robust KYC and age-verification procedures enforced
KYC Procedures
Mandatory Know Your Customer screening before account activation
Customer Support Standards
Support in official languages mandatory
Complaint Handling Procedures
Structured complaint process required; Gespa oversight
Player Funds Protection
Segregation of player funds required
Payout Timelines
Not publicly specified, but timely processing is observed as industry best practice
Bonus and Promotion Regulations
Rules enforced to ensure transparency and responsibility
Permitted Games List
Only licensed lotteries, skill games, and sports betting; land-based casinos may operate online casinos
Betting Limits
Operators may set responsible gaming limits with regulatory oversight
RTP Requirements
No publicly disclosed minimum RTP; operator must ensure fair play
Jackpot Regulations
Provisions for jackpot management exist, must comply with operator licence terms
Live Game Requirements
Allowed with licensed land-based operators and Gespa approval
Mobile App Compliance
Mobile gambling apps must comply with same requirements as desktop
Affiliate Program Rules
Affiliates may operate only if compliant with responsible marketing/advertising laws
Security Standards
Operators must guarantee secure operation, per Swiss standards
Encryption Requirements
Secure data transmission required; best practice is SSL/TLS
Backup Requirements
Regular data backup as part of operational risk management
Monitoring Systems
Real-time system monitoring and player protection tools mandatory
Operation Logging
Detailed transaction and operation logging required for audit and compliance
Anti-Fraud Systems
Comprehensive anti-fraud monitoring mandatory
API Integration Standards
Must ensure secure integration and data protection standards
Hosting Requirements
Hosting in Switzerland or as authorized by regulator
CDN Usage
Not specifically mandated but may be used to maintain service quality
Scalability Requirements
Operators must ensure platforms can serve Swiss players securely and without interruption
Uptime Requirements
Not publicly specified, but high service availability is industry standard
Technical Support Availability
Operators must ensure technical support for safe and stable operations
License Duration
20 years per concession (2025–2044)
Renewal Procedure
No appeal against allocations; future tenders subject to regulatory process
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Range from fines to licence suspension/revocation as per Gespa enforcement authority
Ownership Change Rules
Notification and approval required for mergers, acquisitions and changes of control
Mergers and Acquisitions Rules
Regulatory approval required
Subcontractor Regulations
Key providers may require Gespa approval
Branding Requirements
Responsible gambling and regulatory info must be displayed
Intellectual Property Protection
IP must be respected under Swiss law
Dispute Arbitration
Swiss court/arbitration per licensee contract
Insurance Requirements
Not publicly specified; robust risk management is expected
Charity Contributions
Lottery and casino revenues channel significant funds to state/charitable purposes
Staff Training Requirements
Responsible gaming and compliance training required for staff
Innovation Support
Not specifically mentioned, but technical evolution must comply with law
Sustainability Initiatives
Not specified, though lotteries allocate funding for public interest
Accessibility Standards
Operators must ensure access for eligible Swiss residents, rules for people with disabilities not public
Multilingual Support
German, French, Italian required
Cryptocurrency Support
Not specifically regulated, fiat currency (CHF) mandatory
Esports Betting Regulations
Subject to separate licensing; covered as part of skill games if authorised
Fantasy Sports Regulations
Requires authorisation as skill game; subject to regulatory assessment
Official Address
Swiss Gambling Supervisory Authority (Gespa), Monbijoustrasse 27, 3011 Bern, Switzerland
Postal Address
Swiss Gambling Supervisory Authority (Gespa), Monbijoustrasse 27, 3011 Bern, Switzerland
Work Hours
Monday to Friday, 08:00–12:00 and 13:30–17:00
Departments
Supervisory Board, Permanent Office (headed by Director), Division for Licensing, Division for Supervision, Division for Enforcement
FAQ Question 1
What is Swiss Licence for Online Casinos and Betting (Gespa Operator and Game Licence)?
FAQ Answer 1
This is an official Swiss gambling licence issued by Gespa, covering large-scale lotteries, sports betting, and skill games operated locally or online. Its purpose is to regulate, supervise, and ensure a safe and responsible gambling environment in Switzerland. If not available: Information not found in publicly available sources.
FAQ Question 2
Which jurisdiction issues Swiss Licence for Online Casinos and Betting (Gespa Operator and Game Licence)?
FAQ Answer 2
Switzerland issues the licence. The regulatory body is the Swiss Gambling Supervisory Authority (Gespa). If not available: Information not found in publicly available sources.
FAQ Question 3
What is the cost of obtaining Swiss Licence for Online Casinos and Betting (Gespa Operator and Game Licence)?
FAQ Answer 3
Information not found in publicly available sources.
FAQ Question 4
What are the main requirements for Swiss Licence for Online Casinos and Betting (Gespa Operator and Game Licence)?
FAQ Answer 4
Main requirements include having a Swiss entity, proving sufficient and lawful funds, meeting compliance, AML/KYC, and player protection rules, providing technical/security documentation, and passing Gespa's strict reputation and operational suitability assessment. If not available: Information not found in publicly available sources.