Switzerland’s principal gambling regulators, the Eidgenössische Spielbankenkommission (ESBK) and Gespa, have completed an extensive online enforcement sweep, significantly increasing the number of restricted offshore domains.
The joint action has pushed the national blacklist, known as the Liste der Gesperrten, to nearly 3,000 websites that were found to be targeting Swiss consumers without domestic authorization.
Strengthened Monitoring and Technical Blocks
The latest regulatory push follows a government mandate to enhance the monitoring of digital environments to ensure that players only access licensed platforms. Under the Federal Gambling Act (BGS) of 2018, any operator providing casino games or sports betting without a Swiss license is subject to immediate restriction.
- Mandatory Cooperation: Swiss internet service providers are legally obligated to implement technical network blocks on any domain added to the blacklist.
- Frequency of Updates: Authorities have been instructed to update the restricted list on a more frequent basis to keep pace with the rapid creation of new offshore mirror sites.
- Jurisdictional Split: The ESBK maintains oversight of online casino activities, while Gespa manages the inter-cantonal authority for lotteries and sports betting.
A Highly Regulated “DACH” Landscape
The Switzerland gambling regulators enforcement surge coincides with a broader evaluation of the Money Gaming Act (BGS), which began in November 2025. Federal officials are currently examining whether the existing framework has effectively achieved its goals for player protection and market channelization since its enactment in 2019.
The outcome of this review is expected to resonate across the DACH region (Germany, Austria, Switzerland), where neighboring countries face their own regulatory hurdles. In Germany, the market remains burdened by high taxes exceeding 50% of Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR), while in Austria, legal challenges continue to target the long-standing state monopoly.
Consumer Safety Warnings
Regulators continue to urge Swiss residents to verify that they are using one of the nine authorized online casino partnerships currently promoted by the ESBK. While accessing an unlicensed site is not a criminal offense for the player, authorities warn of severe risks, including a lack of guaranteed payouts and zero player protection safeguards.
