Switzerland Considering Changes in Online Gambling

The president of the Swiss Gaming Board, Benno Schneider, is calling for changes in the online gambling situation in the country. He wants to see the ban listed for domestic providers in order to see how they function.

By lifting the ban on online gaming, the Swiss will be able to monitor and test the quality of the domestic operations and also to see what kind of tax revenues the domestic providers can generate.

Benno is in favor of lifting the ban on domestic providers but blocking foreign providers of online gambling services in Switzerland. The domestic providers would function in an environment of strict regulations. Benno feels that legislation along the lines of the United State’s Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act would be the way to stop foreign providers. This kind of legislation would stop financial institutions from processing any transactions between foreign gaming providers and Swiss players.

Benno admits that it would not be easy to implement this program. Online Swiss casinos would be required to meet the same licensing requirements that apply to land-based casino in Switzerland. This includes anti-money laundering safeguard and safe guards for problem gamblers. The Gaming Board plans to deliver a report on the matter to the Swiss Federal Council before the end of this year.

Posted: November 28, 2008

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