The Swiss Federal Council has announced a landmark decision to grant all casinos new licenses starting from 2025. This strategic move aims to reshape the casino landscape in Switzerland, ensuring that the industry continues to thrive under a secure and responsible framework.
Following a delegate meeting of the Swiss casino industry on May 22, it was revealed that the existing licenses, which are set to expire at the end of 2024, will be replaced with new 20-year agreements starting next year. This renewal promises to bring stability and long-term planning capabilities to the operators.
In a significant development, new casino venues have been approved in Prilly and Winterthur. Winterthur will notably replace the current casino in Schaffhausen, which failed to submit a license application. This shift underscores the evolving dynamics within the Swiss casino sector.
Gerhard Pfister, president of the Swiss Casino Association, heralded this decision as a pivotal moment in the country’s gambling history. He remarked, “The granting of the new concessions is a milestone. The federal government has recognized that today’s casinos ensure safe and responsible operations and generate great economic benefits in their region.”
Another major outcome of the recent developments is the unanimous decision by the Swiss Casino Group venues in Zurich, Schaffhausen, St. Gallen, and Pfäffikon to join the Swiss Casino Association. Following this, the soon-to-be-opened Winterthur casino is also expected to apply for membership. This move means that all of Switzerland’s 21 land-based and 10 online casinos are now united under the association’s umbrella.
Pfister expressed optimism about the future, stating, “I’m pleased that Swiss Casinos has joined the association and with it, the entire casino industry with one voice can speak.” This enhanced collaboration is anticipated to foster a more unified and robust industry, benefiting all stakeholders.
Swiss Casinos board member Marc Baumann added, “The online business is changing the Swiss casino industry sustainably. We are happy to work together with the Swiss Casino Association to help shape the future.” Baumann’s comment highlights the significant shift towards digital operations within the industry.
The financial landscape for Swiss casinos has been mixed. In 2023, the gross gaming revenue (GGR) from land-based casinos saw a slight decline. These venues generated CHF623 million (£536m/€629m/$681.2m) in GGR, marking a 1.1% decrease from the previous year. Conversely, the online casino sector exhibited robust growth, accumulating CHF286 million in GGR, a 14.3% year-on-year increase.
The Swiss Casino Association noted that this trend reflects broader shifts seen across various industries, where online platforms are gaining traction over traditional land-based operations.
Additionally, Swiss casinos paid 3% more in taxes year-on-year, contributing CHF409.3 million to the state in 2023. Over the past two decades, the industry has injected over CHF8 billion in taxes, with a significant portion allocated to the country’s AHV pension system.
The Swiss lottery sector also witnessed notable financial outcomes. Earlier this week, the Loterie Romande public lottery reported a net profit increase of CHF5.1 million for 2023. Despite a 3.4% drop in gross gaming revenue, which totaled CHF420.7 million, the lottery achieved a record payout of CHF243.7 million to charitable causes.
Jean-René Fournier, chairman of Loterie Romande, attributed the profit increase to stringent management of marketing and administrative costs, alongside a bolstered digital offering and the introduction of the European draw game EuroDreams in October 2023. Fournier noted, “This result can be attributed in particular to the rigorous management of operating costs, the strengthening of our digital offering, and the diversity of our product range.”
In summary, the Swiss Federal Council’s decision to renew casino licenses from 2025 represents a significant step forward for the industry. The inclusion of all casinos under the Swiss Casino Association and the growth of the online sector underscore the dynamic changes underway in Switzerland’s gambling landscape.
