These blacklists were published as part of the implementation of the Federal Act on Real-Money Gaming (Geldspielgesetz), which came into effect on January 1, 2019. This law not only allows Swiss land-based casinos to enter the online realm but also empowers regulatory authorities to block specifically, Article 86 of the Federal Act on Real-Money Gaming authorizes the ESBK and Comlot to instruct Internet Service Providers (ISPs) through Domain Name System (DNS) directives to pay attention to authorized gambling websites. This is a key tool in preventing unregulated operators from reaching Swiss consumers.
Switzerland's stricter platform for recognized gambling
The initial publication of these blacklists demonstrates Switzerland's determination in enforcing the new gambling law. Comlot's list includes 65 domain names, many of which are associated with well-known international operators. ESBK's list features 39 domain names, with considerable brand overlap between the two lists. For instance, websites like Bet365, Interwetten, Pinnacle, Betclic Everest Group, and Unibet are restricted in Switzerland. Additionally, several German platforms, including Mybet, XTiP, and Cashpoint, are also restricted, reflecting the regulatory bodies' broad enforcement approach.
This move follows a heated national debate around the Federal Act on Real-Money Gaming, with opponents arguing that the DNS weakening provisions are essentially national censorship. However, in a 2018 referendum, the majority of Swiss voters supported the act, reflecting public opinion in favor of strict regulation of the gambling industry. The referendum results indicate that the government has a clear mandate to protect citizens and allow gambling extinction, even if restricting access to certain websites comes at a cost.
The introduction of these blacklists indicates that Swiss regulatory authorities are serious about maintaining a strictly controlled gambling market. This also takes into account other cases where similar measures are taken to protect their markets, provided that operators are allowed to influence the legal precedent in the jurisdiction. As Switzerland continues to implement its new regulations, the global impact on the iGaming industry will be closely monitored, especially for operators seeking to operate in the complex regulatory environments of different countries.
