SWITZERLAND Law and Practice Contributed by: Simon Planzer and Florian Furger, PLANZER LAW
• the Casino Ordinance; and • two AML ordinances.
exchange for a stake (money or money’s worth) or by the conclusion of a legal act or transaction (German version: Spiele, bei denen gegen Leistung eines geld- werten Einsatzes oder bei Abschluss eines Rechtsge- schäfts ein Geldgewinn oder ein anderer geldwerter Vorteil in Aussicht steht French version: les jeux qui, moyennant une mise d’argent ou la conclusion d’un acte juridique, laissent espérer un gain pécuniaire ou un autre avantage appréciable en argent Italian version: i giochi che, fatta una posta pecuniaria o con- cluso un negozio giuridico, prospettano la possibilità di una vincita in denaro o di un altro vantaggio pecu- niario ). 3.3 Definition of Land-Based Gambling There is no specific definition of land-based gambling. See 3.2 Definition of Gambling . 3.4 Definition of Online Gambling There is no specific definition of online gambling. See 3.2 Definition of Gambling . 3.5 Key Offences The key offences that can be committed are as fol- lows: • operating, organising or providing casino games or large-scale games without the necessary licences or authorisations (Article 130 (1)(a), Gaming Act); • providing the technical means for the organisa- tion of casino games or large-scale games, being aware of the intended use, to persons who do not hold the required licences or authorisations (Article 130 (1)(b), Gaming Act); and • obtaining a licence or authorisation by way of providing false information or in similar deceptive ways (Article 130 (3), Gaming Act). 3.6 Penalties for Unlawful Gambling According to Article 130 (1) of the Gaming Act, a per- son who intentionally commits the criminal offence of organising casino or large-scale games, or of pro- viding the technical means for such operations, shall be punished with a custodial sentence of up to three years or a fine. According to Article 130 (2) of the Gaming Act, the penalty shall be imprisonment for up to five years or a fine of not less than 180 daily rates
The Gaming Act serves as the legal framework for all games that involve consideration and prizes. It brought significant changes as it regulates online games and replaces all formerly applicable federal gaming laws (mainly the Lottery Act and the Casino Act). Primary Law The Gaming Act ( Geldspielgesetz , Loi fédérale sur les jeux d’argent , Legge federale sui giochi in denaro ) was passed by the federal parliament on 29 September 2017 and entered into force on 1 January 2019. Secondary Law • The Gaming Ordinance ( Geldspielverordnung , Ordonnance sur les jeux d’argent , Ordinanza sui giochi in denaro ) was passed by the federal gov- ernment on 7 November 2018 and entered into force on 1 January 2019. • The Casino Ordinance ( Spielbankenverordnung (EJPD), Ordonnance du DFJP sur les maisons de jeu , Ordinanza del DFGP sulle case da gioco ) was passed by the Federal Department of Justice and Police (EJPD) on 7 November 2018 and entered into force on 1 January 2019. • The Money Laundering Ordinance ( Geldwäschere- iverordnung (EJPD), Ordonnance du DFJP sur le blanchiment d’argent , Ordinanza del DFGP sul riciclaggio di denaro ) was passed by the EJPD on 7 November 2018 and entered into force on 1 Janu- ary 2019. • The Money Laundering Ordinance ( Geldwäschere- iverordnung (ESBK), Ordonnance du CFMJ sur le blanchiment d’argent , Ordinanza del CFCG sul riciclaggio di denaro ) was passed by the Federal Gaming Board (ESBK) on 12 November 2018 and entered into force on 1 January 2019. Furthermore, these federal laws have been imple-
mented in revised cantonal laws. 3.2 Definition of Gambling
While the Gaming Act does not define “gambling” as such, it addresses “money games” in Article 3 (a), which are defined as games in which a prize or something of monetary value can be expected in
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