Switzerland has expanded its blacklist of unlicensed websites to 3,998 domains, underlining one of Europe’s most aggressive campaigns against offshore betting and gaming operators.
The latest update from the Eidgenössische Spielbankenkommission (ESBK), Switzerland’s Federal Gaming Board, comes as the regulator intensifies enforcement measures designed to channel consumers towards licensed domestic operators and away from unregulated competitors.
Under Switzerland’s Gambling Act, internet service providers are required to block access to gambling websites that target Swiss consumers without authorisation. The blacklist has grown rapidly since the country’s online gambling framework came into force in 2019, reflecting persistent concerns over offshore operators seeking to access one of Europe’s wealthiest gaming markets.
The ESBK has identified illegal online gambling as a key enforcement priority for 2026, increasing surveillance of the market and coordinating more closely with internet providers to restrict access to prohibited websites. Operators found targeting Swiss consumers without a licence face heightened scrutiny, enforcement proceedings and potential financial penalties.
The tougher stance on enforcement comes as Switzerland continues to cautiously expand its regulated online gambling market.
In March, Casino Locarno became the tenth operator to secure an online casino licence, following approval from the ESBK for its CasiNeo.ch platform. The authorisation marked the latest addition to a market deliberately designed around tight controls and limited competition.
Unlike many European jurisdictions, Switzerland restricts online casino licences exclusively to existing land-based casino concessionaires. To qualify, operators must maintain a physical presence within a Swiss canton and secure federal approval for both their retail casino activities and online gaming operations.
The framework is intended to ensure operators remain subject to Swiss taxation, anti-money laundering requirements and consumer protection standards. Licensees are also required to undertake extensive player verification procedures, including checks on age, residency and tax domicile status before customers can access online gambling services.
Casino Locarno’s approval followed the reopening of Switzerland’s licensing window in 2025, allowing the market to expand while preserving the country’s highly restrictive approach to market access.
For Swiss policymakers, the growth of the regulated sector and the expansion of the blacklist form part of the same strategy. While licensed operators are granted carefully controlled opportunities to enter the market, authorities are simultaneously increasing pressure on offshore rivals that fall outside the country’s regulatory perimeter.
With almost 4,000 domains now blocked, Switzerland continues to pursue one of Europe’s strictest gambling regimes, relying on a combination of licensing restrictions, technical website blocking and enhanced enforcement powers to protect the integrity of its domestic market.
