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Switzerland Expands Gambling Blacklist to 3,998 Domains

Switzerland Expands Blacklist to 3,998 Gambling Domains – Enforcement Targets Offshore Operators

Key Takeaways

• Switzerland has increased its blacklist of unlicensed gambling websites to 3,998 domains.
• The Federal Gaming Board ESBK requires internet service providers to block access to unauthorized sites.
• Illegal online gambling has been designated a key enforcement priority for 2026.
• Only land-based Swiss casino concessionaires can obtain an online licence under the current framework.
• Casino Locarno became the tenth licensed online operator in March with its CasiNeo.ch platform.

Blacklist Approaches 4,000 Domains Under Federal Enforcement Strategy

Switzerland has expanded its official blacklist of unlicensed gambling websites to 3,998 domains. The update was published by the Eidgenössische Spielbankenkommission ESBK, the country’s Federal Gaming Board. The figure highlights the scale of enforcement activity aimed at offshore operators that target Swiss consumers without domestic authorisation.

Under Switzerland’s Gambling Act, internet service providers must block access to gambling websites that offer services to Swiss users without a licence. The blacklist mechanism forms a central pillar of the country’s online gambling control system. Once a domain is added to the list, access from within Switzerland is restricted through technical blocking measures.

The ESBK has identified illegal online gambling as a priority area for 2026. According to the regulator, this includes increased market surveillance and closer coordination with internet providers. Operators that continue to target Swiss consumers without authorisation face heightened scrutiny, formal enforcement proceedings and potential financial penalties.

For users, the growing blacklist means that access to a large number of offshore gambling websites is actively restricted. The measure is designed to direct consumers toward licensed domestic platforms operating under Swiss law.

Legal Framework Limits Online Licences to Domestic Casino Concessionaires

Switzerland’s online gambling market operates under a restrictive licensing model introduced when the country’s current framework came into force in 2019. Unlike several other European jurisdictions, Switzerland does not allow standalone online operators to apply for a licence.

Online casino licences are reserved exclusively for existing land-based casino concessionaires. To qualify, an operator must maintain a physical presence in a Swiss canton and hold federal approval for its terrestrial casino activities. Only after meeting these requirements can it obtain authorisation to offer online gaming.

The regulatory structure is intended to keep operators within the Swiss tax system and subject them to national anti-money laundering obligations and consumer protection rules. Licensed operators must carry out extensive player verification procedures. These include checks on age, residency and tax domicile status before users can access online gambling services.

By limiting licences to established domestic casinos, Swiss authorities retain direct oversight over market participants. At the same time, the approach narrows the number of legal online providers available to Swiss consumers.

Casino Locarno Becomes Tenth Licensed Online Operator

While enforcement against offshore sites is intensifying, Switzerland has also allowed measured expansion within its regulated sector. In March, Casino Locarno received approval from the ESBK to launch its online platform CasiNeo.ch. With this decision, Casino Locarno became the tenth operator authorised to offer online casino services under Swiss law.

The approval followed the reopening of Switzerland’s licensing window in 2025. This step enabled additional land-based concessionaires to apply for online authorisation while preserving the overall restrictive market design.

The combination of limited licensing and strict blocking measures reflects a dual strategy. Licensed operators receive carefully controlled access to the online market. At the same time, authorities increase pressure on offshore competitors that operate outside the regulatory perimeter.

For consumers comparing gambling platforms, the structure means that only a defined group of domestically approved websites can legally offer online casino services in Switzerland. Any platform not operated by a licensed Swiss casino and not approved by the ESBK risks being added to the blacklist.

Enforcement Measures Intensify in 2026

The ESBK’s decision to classify illegal online gambling as a key enforcement priority for 2026 signals continued regulatory focus. The regulator has indicated that surveillance of the market will increase, alongside more systematic cooperation with internet service providers responsible for implementing access blocks.

Operators that are found to target Swiss consumers without a licence face enforcement proceedings and possible financial penalties. The publication and regular updating of the blacklist serve both as a compliance tool and as a public signal of regulatory activity.

With nearly 4,000 domains now blocked, Switzerland maintains one of the most restrictive gambling oversight systems in Europe. The system relies on three main elements: a limited licensing regime, mandatory website blocking by internet providers and strengthened enforcement powers for the regulator.

For international operators, the message is clear. Access to the Swiss online gambling market requires domestic licensing and adherence to Swiss regulatory standards. For users, the blacklist defines which platforms are considered unauthorized under national law.

Our Assessment

Switzerland’s expansion of its blacklist to 3,998 domains demonstrates sustained enforcement against unlicensed online gambling providers. At the same time, the approval of Casino Locarno as the tenth licensed online operator shows that market growth is occurring within a tightly controlled framework. The combination of restricted licensing, mandatory website blocking and enhanced enforcement defines the structure of the Swiss online gambling market in 2026.