Operator News
Switzerland – Federal Council extends operating licence for Grand Casino Lucerne and online casino mycasino until 2044
By Phil - 30 November 2023
The Grand Casino Lucerne Group said it was ‘delighted’ with The Federal Council approval to extend the the licence application for the land-based casino in Lucerne and the associated online casino mycasino.
This means that the traditional company from Central Switzerland can safely continue to operate its existing Grand Casino in Lucerne and the online casino mycasino until 2044. An additional new casino in Sion, on the other hand, was not approved by the state government.
“The renewed granting of a licence for the Grand Casino in Lucerne is a positive signal for our company, our shareholders, guests, employees and partners,” says Guido Egli, Chairman of the Board of Directors. The concession for the land-based casino and the associated online casino will also give an additional boost to tourism and the economy in Lucerne and Central Switzerland. The entertainment centre with the Grand Casino has been in existence for over 125 years. Since 2019, this has also included mycasino. This online casino is the clear market leader and today generates a third of all online gaming revenues in Switzerland.
The casino in Lucerne promotes the national and international attention of Central Switzerland. The casino as well as the attractive restaurant, event and event areas on Lake Lucerne are firmly integrated into the tourist and social life of the Lucerne region. The company supports many cultural and sporting activities.
In view of the importance of the casino, the authorities of the City and Canton of Lucerne as well as the Central Switzerland Intergovernmental Conference have lobbied the Federal Council in recent months for the renewal of the concession – with success, as today’s decision shows.
The Grand Casino Luzern Group employs around 200 people in Lucerne. In 2022 alone, Switzerland’s highest-turnover casino paid a casino levy of CHF 53.29 million for the benefit of the AHV. Over the past 20 years, the Lucerne Casino has provided a total of more than CHF 490 million for the benefit of the AHV.
The Federal Council decides on the licences of the casinos only once in 20 years. For this reason, the Grand Casino Luzern Group, through its subsidiary Casino du Valais SA, applied for a casino in Sion. In the canton of Valais, there is only one concession to be distributed. Three applicants have applied for it. The Federal Council today granted the only concession in Valais to the existing casino in Crans-Montana.
