Operator News
Switzerland – Swiss Federal Council to allow two more casinos in Winterthur and Lausanne
By Phil - 29 April 2022
The Swiss Federal Council has decided to grant two new casino licences with Winterthur and Lausanne in line for two Type A concessions in 2025.
With Switzerland’s 21 casino licences set to expire at the end of 2024, the Federal Gaming Commission (ESBK) has said tax revenues could be ‘optimized’ in favor of the population, it continues.
It said that casinos ‘create a high fiscal benefit for the Confederation and the cantons’ with casinos paying levies of CHF7.3bn since 2002/2003, of whichCHF 6.bn was used to finance the AHV.
It said that an A concession should only be granted if the casino can achieve a gross player income of more than CHF30m per year at the corresponding location. Type B concessions should only been allowed in areas where GGR of more than 10m being achieved year.
Despite the granting of two additional concessions, the ESBK does not fear that this will fuel gambling addiction. The Casino Commission would carry out studies every five years on the basis of data collected by the Federal Statistical Office using the health survey.
A spokeswoman said that the addition of new casinos won’t see a ‘greater prevalence of gambling addiction in Switzerland.”
