SBC News Voice of the Sports Betting Industry
The Swiss Federal Assembly is said to be reviewing a revamped gambling draft bill, with the primary aim of allowing certain forms of online gambling.
At present online gambling is not permitted by Swiss laws, however the government is reported to want to curb consumer wagering on international operators.
The introduction of the bill is further supported by the country’s 21 licensed land based casinos’ who amid falling revenues have asked the Assembly for a reform of gambling laws with regards to servicing digital products.
The bill is reported to favour established Swiss gambling enterprises, which will be granted first right to operator online gambling services. Furthermore the bill will introduce monitoring, blocking and penalty measures of unlicensed online gambling operators.
Overhauling its current gambling framework, new proposals would see Switzerland drop all tax charges on gambling winnings, which are currently levied on lottery and bookmakers, with casinos exempt.
Pro Swiss online gambling advocates have urged the Assembly to clarify certain provisions of the bill’s framework, in order to comply with European Union business and competition laws. Although not a member of the EU, the country has adopted numerous European business provisions as a member of the European Economic Community.
