In Switzerland, casinos, physical or online, generate an annual turnover of CHF650 million ($698 million). Residents also spend nearly CHF1 billion on lottery cards and betting on sports.
Keystone / Obs/grand Casino Luzern Ag/(c) G
The number of gamblers banned from Swiss casinos rose sharply last year to over 10,000, driven by the growth in online gambling sites, the Swiss newspaper NZZ am Sonntag has reported.
At the end of last year, a total of 72,322 people were banned from playing at Swiss casinos – in person and online – according to new statistics from the Federal Gambling Commission (CFMJ)External link, published in the NZZ am Sonntag. This represents an increase of 10,870 people compared with 2019, when the number rose by 4,836.
The opening of three new online gambling sites last year, and two additional venues in 2021, contributed to this increase, said Federal Gambling Commission spokesperson Marjorie Perusset.
The steep rise is mainly due to new online casino players who do not frequent physical establishments, she said.
Perusset added that it was still too early to say whether the Covid pandemic has had an impact on gambling behaviour. Licenced casinos began fully operating online services in 2020.
The Gambling Commission insists that the large number of bans is proof that preventive measures are working and are being implemented.
In the light of the recent increase, the non-governmental organisation Addiction Suisse has called for restrictions on gambling advertising and the creation of an expert group to advise the authorities and establishments.
In Switzerland, casinos, physical or online, generate an annual turnover of CHF650 million ($698 million). Residents also spend nearly CHF1 billion on lottery cards and betting on sports, said NZZ am Sonntag.
Under Swiss law, a casino must issue a gambling ban if it knows a player is in debt or unable to meet their financial obligations. This rule also applies if the person gambles large amounts of money when compared to their monthly income and fortune.
A casino can also issue a ban if they receive a report from a specialised body or social affairs authority indicating a person’s gambling addiction. Players can also decide whether they want to be banned. Casinos and establishments that impose bans must keep a register of those affected.
Popular Stories
More
Climate adaptation
Why Switzerland is among the ten fastest-warming countries in the world
High-net-worth individuals prioritise well-being over material possessions
This content was published on
The priorities of wealthy private individuals have shifted against the backdrop of ongoing geopolitical tensions and trade disputes. While spending on luxury goods is declining, demand for travel and experiences is unabated.
Swiss researchers sequence genome of 1918 Spanish flu virus
This content was published on
Researchers from the Universities of Basel and Zurich (UZH) have sequenced the genome of the Spanish flu virus, thanks to a sample taken from an 18-year-old Swiss boy who died in the city on the Limmat in 1918, when the pandemic spread around the world.
Swiss martyr beatified in Barcelona by Catholic Church
This content was published on
François-Benjamin May (1870-1909), a member of the Marist Brothers congregation, has been recognised as a 'blessed' by the Catholic Church.
Prevention and tech could help save billions on Swiss healthcare costs, says Deloitte
This content was published on
By focusing on prevention and technology, it would be possible to reduce Switzerland's healthcare bill by CHF30 billion a year by 2040, according to Deloitte Switzerland.
Environment director warns of increasing climate-related risks in Switzerland
This content was published on
The director of the Swiss Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN) has warned of increasing climate-related risks in Switzerland in an interview with SonntagsBlick on Sunday.
Gotthard traffic queue hits 11km at start of holiday season
This content was published on
The start of the summer holidays saw a long traffic jam in front of the Gotthard tunnel on Saturday. Traffic jams between Erstfeld and Göschenen in canton Uri were up to 11 kilometres long early in the morning.
This content was published on
An awareness campaign has been launched to help addicted online gamblers in Switzerland cope with their compulsive behaviour.
Voters give clear thumbs up for reform of Swiss gambling law
This content was published on
Swiss voters have endorsed a ban on online offers of offshore casinos. The new law includes measures against gambling addiction.
This content was published on
The new Gaming Act will just protect Swiss casinos from foreign competition, argues Andri Silberschmidt in opposition to the legislation.
Lucrative gambling business comes under public scrutiny
This content was published on
The stakes are high as Swiss voters contemplate a new gambling law, including a ban on using the websites of foreign casinos.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.