The Swiss government has decided to issue fresh permits for all gambling establishments commencing in 2025.
The declaration was made on Wednesday (May 22nd) following a gathering with representatives of the Swiss gambling industry. Current permits are valid until the end of 2024, and the new arrangements will be in effect for two decades, commencing next year.
New gambling venues in Prilly and Winterthur were authorized, the latter replacing the existing facility in Schaffhausen, which did not submit an application.
Gerhard Pfister, head of the Swiss Casino Association, believes that the new permits represent a significant moment in Swiss gambling history.
“The issuance of new concessions is a landmark,” stated Pfister. “The federal government has acknowledged that contemporary casinos ensure secure and responsible operations and produce substantial economic advantages in their respective areas.”
All Swiss casinos are now members of the association.
Moreover, the Swiss Casino Group locations in Zurich, Schaffhausen, St. Gallen, and Pfäffikon have joined the Swiss Casino Association after unanimous agreement. Winterthur will submit a request to join the Swiss Casino Association upon opening.
The Swiss Federal Council will issue new licenses for all casinos starting in 2025.
This signifies that each of the 21 brick-and-mortar gambling houses and 10 virtual gambling establishments in Switzerland are now members of the Swiss Casino Association.
Fister believes that all Swiss casinos uniting and joining the association will be advantageous for the sector.
“I am delighted that Swiss casinos have joined the association so that the entire casino industry can speak with a unified voice,” stated Fister.
Mark Baumann, a member of the Swiss Casino Board of Directors, added: “The online business is constantly altering the Swiss casino industry. We are pleased to collaborate with the Swiss Casino Association to shape the future.”
Revenue from land-based gambling is declining, but online gambling revenue is on the rise.
In 2023, revenue from Swiss land-based venues decreased slightly, but virtual casinos experienced a substantial year-over-year increase.
Last year, the total gambling revenue (GGR) of land-based venues was 623 million Swiss francs (equivalent to 536 million pounds/629 million euros/681.2 million dollars). This represented a 1.1% decrease from the previous year.
However, the GGR of the 10 online casinos amounted to 286 million Swiss francs, a 14.3% increase year-over-year. The Swiss Casino Association noted that the shift in popularity from land-based to online products is consistent with trends in other sectors.
Casinos also paid 3% more in taxes compared to the previous year, with the state receiving a contribution of 409.3 million Swiss francs in 2023. Swiss casinos have contributed over 8 billion Swiss francs in taxes over the past 20 years. The majority of this goes towards the country’s AHV pension system.
The Swiss lottery organization declared record earnings.
The Swiss Romande Lottery declared earlier this week that its net gain for 2023 reached 5.1 million Swiss francs, establishing a new high. The lottery organization will also contribute a record 243.7 million Swiss francs to charitable endeavors.
Despite a 3.4% decrease in overall income for 2023 to 420.7 million Swiss francs, the Romande Lottery still witnessed a record year. In 2022, the lottery organization recorded total income of 435.5 million Swiss francs.
Jean-René Fournier, head of the Romande Lottery, credited the profit increase to reduced marketing and administrative expenses.
“This outcome is primarily attributed to strict control of operational costs, enhancements in digital offerings, and the introduction of the EuroDreams European lottery game in October 2023, which expanded our product range,” Fournier stated.
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