Switzerland Blacklists Over 3,500 Illegal iGaming Sites in 2026

Switzerland is maintaining a rigorous stance against the illegal online gambling market. The Federal Gaming Board (ESBK) has significantly expanded its blacklist of unauthorized websites. Following the latest update on August 25, the list now totals 3,567 domains that offer or promote online casino games to Swiss citizens without federal approval. This move highlights the persistent pressure the regulated Swiss market faces from offshore operators.

By publishing the list in the Swiss Federal Gazette, the blocking of these domains becomes legally binding. Swiss internet service providers are now legally required to implement DNS blocks. If a user within Switzerland attempts to access one of these addresses, they are automatically redirected to an information page. This page clarifies that the service is not authorized in Switzerland. The legal basis for this is found in Articles 86 onwards of the Federal Act on Gambling and the corresponding Gambling Ordinance.

Numbers and facts

The sheer volume of blocked addresses demonstrates the dynamics of the black market. In 2026 alone, the ESBK has added more than 1,000 new domains to its blacklist. Responsibility for supervision is clearly divided between two authorities. The ESBK supervises the land-based and online casino sector. It is an independent authority attached to the Federal Department of Justice and Police (FDJP). Meanwhile, Gespa, the intercantonal gambling supervisory authority, is responsible for lotteries, sports betting, and large-scale skill games. Both organizations maintain separate lists and coordinate their measures to drive illegal offers out of the Swiss digital space.

An important aspect of Swiss regulation is channeling players toward legal operators. Despite the intensive hunt for illegal sites, participating in foreign gambling remains non-criminal for the consumers themselves. However, the authority warns of significant risks. Without state supervision, there are no guarantees for fair gameplay, protection against fraud, or measures for addiction prevention. Overseas operators often use locations outside European jurisdiction to evade taxes and strict anti-money laundering controls.

Background

While the fight against illegal providers continues, the legal market is growing in a controlled manner. Recently, Casino Locarno received approval as Switzerland's tenth legal online casino operator. Under the CasiNeo.ch brand, the company is now permitted to offer its portfolio digitally. This development is part of the regulations in place since 2019, stating that online licenses are exclusively granted to holders of existing land-based casinos. Casino Locarno, which has been part of the Stadtcasino Baden Group since 2022, follows the lead of Casino Baden, which once pioneered the country's first legal online shop.

"Access to the gambling sites listed below in alphanumeric order has been blocked in accordance with Article 86 et seq. of the Federal Act on Gambling and Article 88 et seq. of the Gambling Ordinance." - Federal Gaming Board, Official Statement

Swiss authorities currently show no intention of loosening the existing system. Linking online licenses to physical casinos remains the central element of market control. Whether the purely technical blockade of over 3,500 domains is sufficient to permanently curb the black market remains a point of debate among experts. In particular, developments in neighboring countries like Germany and Austria could serve as a benchmark, as similar discussions regarding the effectiveness of network blocks are being held there.

Why it matters for German players

For German players, the situation in Switzerland serves as an interesting reflection of their own legal framework. In Germany, the 2021 Interstate Treaty on Gambling (GlüStV 2021) regulates the market. While Switzerland relies on DNS blocking, the Joint Gambling Authority of the States (GGL) in Halle (Saale) primarily focuses on the whitelist and the central LUGAS monitoring system. German players are only permitted to play with providers listed on this official whitelist. Strict rules apply there: a monthly deposit limit of 1,000 euros across all providers and a stake limit of 1 euro per spin for slots. Anyone playing with providers without a GGL license enters a legal gray area and loses the protection of German law. Much like in Switzerland, blacklists and regulatory measures serve to guide players toward safer, licensed portals.

What it means for GGL-licensed casinos

The massive blockages in Switzerland indirectly strengthen the position of legal GGL casinos in Germany. As neighboring countries intensify their fight against the black market, pressure grows on international offshore providers overall. For licensed German operators, this means a fairer competitive landscape, as illegal competitors increasingly struggle to maintain stable payment methods and advertising channels in DACH regions. However, the Swiss figures of over 3,500 blocked domains also highlight to German operators how significant the competition from unregulated providers remains. Strong player protection and compliance with GGL requirements remain the most important differentiators to gain customer trust and succeed long-term against the influx of illegal sites from Curacao or other tax havens.