Swiss Casino GGR Sees 2.1% Decline in 2025 Amidst Industry Transition, ESBK Reports

The Swiss Federal Casino Commission (ESBK) recently unveiled its comprehensive report for 2025, shedding light on a transformative year for the nation's gambling industry. The findings indicate a slight contraction in overall performance, even as the sector navigated significant regulatory changes.

Swiss casinos collectively recorded a gross gaming revenue (GGR) of CHF878.5 million for 2025. This figure represents a 2.1% decrease from the CHF898 million generated in the preceding year. A closer look at the breakdown reveals divergent trends: land-based venues contributed CHF564.9 million, experiencing a 3.9% reduction compared to 2024, while the online segment demonstrated resilience with a modest 1.2% rise, reaching CHF313.6 million.

These casino figures align with broader trends observed across Switzerland’s regulated gaming landscape. Earlier data from Gespa, the Swiss Gambling Supervisory Authority, showed that turnover from lotteries and sports betting saw a 2.4% year-on-year dip to CHF3.87 billion in 2025, with gross player yield declining by 3.7% to CHF1.203 billion. From the casino revenues, the federal casino levy amounted to CHF263.1 million, also a 2.1% downturn. Of this, the federal government received CHF219.99 million, and cantonal authorities were allocated CHF43.08 million. The ESBK itself managed its operations with a lean budget of CHF10.7 million, with the majority covered by fees and fines.

Regulatory Landscape Shifts

Last year marked the beginning of a new concession cycle, set to run until 2044, which replaced the prior regulatory period. By the end of 2025, Switzerland was home to 20 regulated land-based casinos and nine online platforms.

Several noteworthy changes impacted casino operations. Casino St. Moritz halted operations in April due to financial challenges, leading to the ESBK revoking its concession in August. There are currently no immediate plans for re-tendering this license before a federal review slated for 2028. Additionally, Casino Schaffhausen concluded 23 years of service, permanently closing its doors in October, with its personnel and assets subsequently integrated into Casino Winterthur. Conversely, Casino Davos underwent a temporary closure for relocation, successfully reopening on December 15 following regulatory inspection.

In the evolving online sector, Mendrisio initiated its online gambling services in July 2025. However, not all ventures proved sustainable; Casino Basel and Casino Montreux both decided to exit the online sphere, leading to the revocation of their license extensions after determining their online operations were not financially viable. Elsewhere, Prilly secured an extension until October 31, 2026, to launch its operations, a delay attributed to unexpected building remediation needs.

Player Protection and Enforcement

Player protection remained a key focus, with the ESBK underscoring its dedication through the national exclusion register, Spielsperre. Registrations in this system have consistently increased since the 2019 gambling law reforms. A significant development in 2025 was the implementation of automatic mutual recognition of exclusion orders between Switzerland and Liechtenstein starting January 7, ensuring cross-border enforcement of bans. Despite these efforts, the commission voiced reservations regarding the register’s upkeep, citing outdated or insufficient information, and suggested potential legislative amendments to enhance its effectiveness.

The report also highlighted a significant increase in illegal online gambling activities within Switzerland during 2025, a trend consistent with broader European patterns. In response, the ESBK intensified enforcement actions, resulting in 580 domain blocks against unauthorized online gambling websites and initiating 105 new investigative probes. The commission collaborated closely with cantonal police forces and prosecutors, advocating for expanded European cooperation among regulatory bodies to effectively combat cross-border illegal gambling operations.