New casino licenses issued in Switzerland

On November 29, the Swiss Federal Government issued new licenses to operate casinos. There are currently 21 casinos operating in the country, the concession agreements for which expire on December 31, 2024.

Eight casinos in Baden, Basel, Bern, Lugano, Lucerne, Montreux, St. Gallen and Zurich operate under “A” concession agreements, and 13 operate under “B” concession agreements. All Class A casinos, as well as three Class B casinos in Interlaken, Meyrin and Neuchâtel, have launched online betting sites in partnership with international online gambling operators.

According to the decision of the Federal Council adopted in April 2022, from 2025 the territory of Switzerland will be divided into 23 gambling zones. In 10 of them, concession agreements will be concluded for one casino of type “A”, and in 13 - for one casino of type “B”.

In total, the Federal Gambling Council was considering 29 applications for concessions in 23 zones, the number of which was increased by two. Applications can be submitted until October 31.

Based on the results of the review, licensees were selected in 22 gambling zones, while the only application for operation in the Schaffhausen zone was rejected due to its non-compliance with the requirements. Further decisions regarding casinos in this area will be made at a later date.

New licenses for casino operators will begin on January 1, 2025. Their validity period will be 20 years.