The History of Swiss Betting Regulations
Switzerland banned gambling in 1921, but it was lifted in the 1990s. The Bill to dissolve this ban was passed in 1993 and led to the formation of Casinos Act of 1998. It went into operation on April 1st, 2000. The law though separated gamblers into two categories namely games of chance like casinos and lotteries as well as bets.
Even though every canton has the authority to run their own, lotteries are still prohibited by federal law. In Switzerland, sports betting is under the jurisdiction of lottery corporations while ordinary betting is not allowed.
Swiss Federal Gaming Board in 2009 issued a preliminary report recommending the regulation of online games. The recommendations that were made include, setting up an agency to fight against gaming addictions, creating a wide-ranging framework for taxing the sector and blocking unlicensed sites to prevent loss of tax revenue going outside Switzerland.
Swiss authorities were aware of it, but no action was taken and there were no concerns until the economic crisis started in 2012. Bricks and mortar casinos saw their revenues fall by an average of 43% between 2008 and 2012, primarily due to Italian gamblers choosing to play online instead of visiting Swiss casinos; however, concerns about the amount of tax being given up at home to international businesses also arose.
Consequently, it was agreed that there should be a law to govern internet gaming. This Act became operative in summer 2019 after the Swiss parliament passed the new Money Gaming Act in 2017.
Online Betting Abroad
Switzerland has limited choices with regard to sports betting services and there is no legal recourse or ban on using foreign bookmakers, hence a lot of bettors in this country have resorted to companies that offer online gambling.
Although it will continue, the Money Gaming Act will stop external online gambling websites. Even if a VPN is required to avoid any limitations, all of our recommended sites shall still be accessible for Swiss nationals.
Why Use Foreign Betting Sites?
It is a relatively recent thing to bet online in Switzerland. There are even newer Swiss companies that will now take bets. Nevertheless, just like any other new market, it would require some time to adjust. In addition, due to the fact that there are only a few bookmakers in Switzerland, which is nothing compared to others of the same caliber like UK’s, lack of competition might also happen.
A crucial strategy for gambling is to compare bookmakers’ odds across a wide spectrum. Such slight variations can be massive for punters, helping them identify value bets. This is why at SBO.net we have the best picks when it comes to online sports betting. By using these sites, you will have reliable, trusted service and get great value.
Generally, the move to legalize online gambling by Swiss Government is a good step. However, we think it will take some time for the market to mature. Don’t wait for that to happen; use our suggestions and get into Europe’s top sports betting websites.
Banking Options
Regrettably, there are not many websites that permit you to maintain your balance in Francs; thus, you will have to convert it into either US dollars or Euros. This can be simply done at the time of deposit via the site although rates may vary and there is a chance of losing some value in your balance due to charges on currency exchange.
When it comes to depositing money, the most popular way is by using a credit card like Visa and MasterCard or debit cards such as Switch or Delta.
PayPal is another commonly used payment method for online gambling. The company is highly reputable and has a well-established security system to protect users’ transactions. It also facilitates currency conversion, which makes it convenient if you want to switch from one local currency, such as francs, to another like euros or move money between various betting sites.
How long money takes to be deposited and withdrawn varies among websites, but usually deposits are instant while withdrawals depend on the method you use.