Best Switzerland Betting Sites

The Swiss Confederation is a Central European country, famous for its armed neutrality policy and its robust economy. It consists of 26 cantons, each of them still being very independent in every aspect of life. As for sports, they have always been part of the local culture. Tennis legend Roger Federer is still a worldwide top athlete, while football is also very popular.

Moreover, the federal government fully respects its citizens' opinions on various issues, like the regulation of gambling in Switzerland. On June 10, 2018, it held a referendum which citizens eventually voted in its favor. That resulted in the establishment of a new, relatively strict gambling law. However, despite the eventual local monopoly by Swisslos and Loterie Romande, online betting in Switzerland is still pretty versatile. As a result, many local players still prefer to bet on renowned international bookmakers.

Best Betting Sites in Switzerland

Here you can find the best betting sites Switzerland has to offer. In order to select them, we compared their odds and payout on major sports, as well as the number of markets and offers they included.

Gambling in Switzerland - 5 Things to Know

• 1
  The legal gambling age in Switzerland is 18
• 2
  There are no reports of prosecuting players who bet on foreign bookmakers
• 3
  Each canton is responsible for granting licenses and supervising gambling activities
• 4
  All gambling winnings below CHF 1.000.000 are tax-free
• 5
  Internet service providers are directed to block access to unlicensed betting sites

General info

⏩Population: 8.600.000

⏩Active players: 1.500.000

⏩Currency: Swiss Franc (CHF)

⏩Regulated gambling products: Sports betting, horse racing, casino, lotteries

⏩Operator types: State lotteries, land-based and online casinos, online sports betting monopoly (Swisslos and Loterie Romande under the brands of ‘Sporttip’ and ‘Jouez Sport’)

⏩Designated authority: Swiss Gambling Supervisory Authority (Gespa)

⏩Status: Regulated

Sports Betting in Switzerland - The Law Framework

The first gambling legislation was introduced in 1998 when betting sites were vividly springing up. With many changes in the online sector in the past 20 years, the government judged that an overhaul was mandatory. So, it held a referendum in June 2018 over a new piece of legislation.

In turn, it led to the implementation of the current Money Gaming Act. The most significant changes included a higher cap on taxable winnings. Plus, the allocation of net winnings from sports betting must exclusively be done for charitable purposes. Measures are also in place with the aim of terminating the influence of non-Swiss betting sites.

In that scope, the latest provisions of the law included the ordering of ISP blocks on unlicensed operators. Also, there’s a ban on foreign betting sites that do not hold a valid local gambling license. Moreover, the Intercantonal Lottery and Betting Board (Comlot), rebranded itself.

It is now known as the Swiss Gambling Supervisory Authority (Gespa). It has been releasing a blacklist ever since, containing all -locally- illegal operators. The latest came out in October 2021. Betting in Switzerland consists of online sites and brick-and-mortar betting shops. They run under the two local state-run operators, Swisslos and Loterie Romande.

These operate under the brands of Sporttip and Jouez Sport. Technically, there’s a state monopoly in place, despite an existing licensing framework. An applying Swiss betting company should be a legal entity under local laws. It should enjoy a good reputation and clearly outline its economic situation.

It must also prove the lawful origin of its funds and guarantee impeccable management, among other prerequisites. So, under purely legal terms, betting on foreign online betting sites is illegal. However, no actions are taken towards players who bet on them.

Essential Information for Swiss Players

Betting shops are apparent in all major cities, running under Sporttip and Jouez Sport. Moreover, players placing a bet in Switzerland on foreign online bookies don’t risk prosecution. However, we advise the use of VPN software when accessing non-licensed betting sites. It is always better to have a piece of mind since, technically, it’s illegal to bet on international bookies.

As for gambling winnings, these are taxable only above CHF 1.000.000 in all 26 cantons. The sum is automatically deducted from total winnings, and players may reclaim it on their tax returns. As for online gambling, Switzerland does not impose any such tax on winnings when one bets at -locally- unlicensed operators.

Bet Switzerland: Deposits and Withdrawals

Swiss authorities don’t apply any specific measures to the local banking sector concerning online transactions. Swiss banks don’t block transfers or card payments to gambling sites. Therefore, funding your betting account via credit or debit card will work just fine. However, a fee applies whenever you use your credit card on online gambling operators.

This currently ranges between 1.2% and 2.5% of each transaction; depending on which credit card you use. Thankfully, there are lots of alternatives for depositing online. You can use any of the popular e-wallets like Skrill or Neteller. Also, PayPal Switzerland and Paysafecard are available too. All the aforementioned methods guarantee safe and fast transactions with minimum fees.

Swiss Bet: What the Future Holds

The Swiss online betting environment is evolving fast. One of the most important developments was the relatively recent introduction of a new regulatory body, GESPA. However, more appropriately said, it just continued its predecessor’s work. Not much has changed; the licensing system remains strict, and the state monopoly is still in place.

Online betting in Switzerland still has much room for improvement. Operators are weighing their options among a rather strict set of rules and a relatively small market. The next few years will show if the state actually wants international betting sites to hold licenses or not.

Gambling in the Neighbouring Countries

Switzerland has a different currency and laws than its EU-member neighbours. Therefore, bettors who are looking to gamble cross-borders need to know about the regulations of these countries concerning gambling and online betting. Let's take a look at the four countries that are a small drive away from border towns.

⏩ Germany: is one of the top destinations for Swiss residents and bettors. Germany has a strictly regulated land-based gambling market that offers all sorts of wagers you might look for. This also applies to online operators that are required to obtain a local license. The winnings are subject to a 5% tax, fueling the demand for unlicensed betting sites in Germany accessible through mirror sites.   

⏩ Italy: The regulatory body, ADM, oversees the gambling industry and enforces regulations to protect players and prevent illegal activities. This doesn't stop bettors from accessing different kinds of international and Italian bookmakers that the government tries to block.

⏩ France: The country has a tradition of land-based casinos, horse racing tracks, and betting shops. Online gambling is also legal, with licensed operators offering a wide range of casino games, sports betting, and poker. French betting sites offer players many regulated options ensuring their protection. 

⏩ Liechtenstein: has a semi-regulated market, with authorities enforcing the law on land-based operators, while international online bookmakers and casinos are not required to pursue licensing. Liechtenstein betting sites remain freely accessible, and players who opt for them are not persecuted.