Spending on gambling reaches record level
The Swiss spent a record SFr2.85 billion ($2.65 billion) on lotteries and gambling last year, according to figures published on Thursday by the Federal Justice Office.
After a slight decline in 2007, last year’s figure showed an increase of SFr50 million compared with 2006.
In 2008, an average of SFr370 per capita was spent on lotteries and bets, an increase of SFr10 compared with the previous year.
The turnover of Euro Millions increased by about ten per cent to reach SFr454 million. Turnover at Swiss Lotto fell by SFr24 million but it still ranks first with total sales of SFr545 million.
The record figures at Swiss lotteries also help the cantons, with SFr535 million flowing into the coffers of various organisations, including those connected with sport.
In Switzerland around 126,000 people gamble “excessively”, according to a study presented by the federal commission on casinos published last month.
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