Gespa warns of rising sports betting risks in Switzerland

Switzerland’s federal gambling regulator, Gespa, has released its latest assessment on the effectiveness of measures designed to protect gamblers. The 2024 Evaluation Report on the Effectiveness of Measures to Protect Gamblers provides a detailed review of compliance by the country’s licensed lottery operators, Swisslos and Loterie Romande, under the Federal Act on Gambling (BGS). While the report commends strong online safeguards, it emphasizes that sports betting continues to present the most significant risk to player protection.

Strong player protections with robust online safeguards

Gespa recognized both operators for consistently exceeding the minimum legal requirements, contributing to what the regulator described as “controlled and informed gaming consumption.” According to the report, the most effective tools for protecting players include mandatory monthly loss limits, designed to prevent excessive losses across all gambling products.

Currently, these limits are set at CHF 2,000 (€1,940) for most online games and CHF 9,999 (€9,700) for Swisslos’s sports betting platform, Sporttip. Gespa highlighted the effectiveness of these measures, noting that such caps have helped to mitigate the most severe financial risks for players while allowing gambling activity to remain regulated and sustainable.

Despite these safeguards, the regulator expressed concern over sports betting. “The majority of players with monthly wallet losses above CHF 2,000 are concentrated in the sports betting segment,” the report stated. Most high-spending users were identified as young men aged 18 to 29, a demographic long recognized as vulnerable to problem gambling.

Gespa concluded, “The continuous evaluation and strengthening of player protection, especially in sports betting, remains essential.” While the average losses across all gambling segments decreased slightly in 2024, they remain disproportionately high compared to other forms of regulated gambling, indicating a need for ongoing monitoring and targeted interventions.

Sports betting remains the most high-risk product

The report emphasized that sports betting continues to carry unique challenges for regulators. Unlike traditional online casino games, sports betting involves dynamic odds, frequent events, and opportunities for high-frequency betting. This combination can increase impulsivity and exacerbate gambling-related harm.

Gespa underscored the need for operators to maintain advanced monitoring systems and early-warning mechanisms, particularly for high-frequency sports bettors. The regulator highlighted that interventions such as personalized messaging, temporary self-exclusion options, and enforced cooling-off periods are critical to reducing the likelihood of financial harm among vulnerable players.

Moreover, Gespa noted that player behavior trends remain a crucial component of regulatory oversight. Young adult men represent the majority of sports betting losses, reflecting broader international patterns observed in gambling research. By focusing interventions on this demographic, regulators can better align preventive measures with actual risk profiles, reducing harm without unnecessarily restricting recreational gamblers.

Retail sales and potential conflicts of interest

While online safeguards have proven effective, Gespa expressed concerns regarding land-based sales networks, which accounted for 77% of total gross gaming revenue in 2024. Unlike online platforms, retail outlets face challenges in real-time monitoring of player activity. Physical environments make it more difficult to enforce responsible gaming measures, including loss limits, identity verification, and problem gambling interventions.

Gespa highlighted a potential conflict of interest involving kiosk operators and retail staff who sell gambling products while also being tasked with enforcing social safeguards. “These persons perform a key control function to protect players from excessive gambling. If they themselves play, a conflict of roles results,” the report stated. The regulator suggested prohibiting gambling for retail outlet owners and staff as a solution to eliminate this risk and ensure impartial enforcement of player protection measures.

This issue intersects with a broader political debate in Bern. Socialist MP Jessica Jaccoud has previously proposed ending the commission-based remuneration system for gambling vendors, which currently pays a percentage of turnover—5% in most cases. She argued that commission-based incentives could encourage excessive gambling promotion, conflicting with the duty to identify and restrict at-risk players. Although her proposal to switch to flat-rate payments was rejected by the National Council’s Science, Education and Culture Committee, Gespa’s findings lend weight to her concerns and indicate that regulatory oversight must remain vigilant.

Gespa to increase oversight in 2025

Looking forward, Gespa confirmed that it will intensify inspections of land-based sports betting operations. The regulator plans to launch mystery shopping operations in 2025 to verify compliance with age checks, responsible gambling policies, and other regulatory requirements. These inspections aim to identify gaps in current practices and ensure that all retail operators are meeting the same high standards applied online.

In 2024, Swisslos logged 507 internal responsible gambling cases, up from 387 in 2023, reflecting an increased focus on compliance and proactive monitoring. Gespa interpreted this rise as evidence of growing vigilance and emphasized the importance of early intervention to prevent gambling-related harm.

In addition to on-site inspections, Gespa confirmed that it will continue maintaining Switzerland’s national blacklist of unlicensed gambling operators, which now comprises 2,597 domains. This initiative is part of a broader effort to protect consumers, prevent illegal gambling, and maintain a safe, regulated gaming market. By restricting access to unlicensed platforms, Gespa seeks to ensure that Swiss players are only exposed to operators who comply with strict regulatory and responsible gaming standards.

Strengthening regulations for safer gambling

Gespa’s report underscores the dual challenge facing regulators: maintaining a safe and enjoyable gaming environment while mitigating the risks associated with high-intensity gambling products like sports betting. The regulator emphasized the importance of ongoing innovation in player protection technology, particularly in monitoring tools and intervention strategies.

Mandatory loss limits, self-exclusion programs, and real-time behavioral analytics are examples of data-driven approaches that can reduce the potential for harm. Gespa encourages operators to continue refining these tools, integrating behavioral insights and international best practices to enhance protection without compromising the recreational value of gambling.

The regulator also stressed the need for cooperation between online and retail operators, policymakers, and independent research bodies. By sharing data, insights, and expertise, stakeholders can develop comprehensive strategies that target the root causes of problem gambling, improve player education, and reinforce Switzerland’s reputation as a safe and well-regulated gambling market.

Conclusion

Gespa’s 2024 evaluation demonstrates that Switzerland has strong online gambling safeguards, particularly through mandatory loss limits and proactive monitoring. However, sports betting continues to pose a disproportionate risk, particularly among young male players. Retail networks present additional challenges, including conflicts of interest and limited real-time oversight.

Looking ahead, intensified inspections, continued technological innovation, and collaboration with political and social stakeholders will be essential to maintaining a balanced and responsible gambling environment. Gespa’s findings reaffirm the importance of continuous evaluation and regulatory vigilance to protect consumers, prevent excessive losses, and sustain a safe, transparent, and legally compliant gambling market in Switzerland.

Frequently asked questions

What is Gespa?
Gespa is Switzerland’s federal gambling regulator responsible for monitoring and enforcing compliance with the Federal Act on Gambling.

Which operators are regulated by Gespa?
The main operators are Swisslos and Loterie Romande, both of which hold licenses under the Federal Act on Gambling.

Why is sports betting considered high-risk?
Sports betting allows frequent and high-stakes betting, which can lead to impulsive decisions and disproportionately high losses.

What are mandatory loss limits?
These are predefined caps on monthly spending for gambling, designed to prevent excessive losses and promote responsible gaming.

Who is most at risk in sports betting?
Young men aged 18 to 29 are the demographic most frequently associated with high losses in sports betting.

How does Gespa address conflicts of interest in retail outlets?
Gespa recommends banning gambling for retail operators and staff to avoid conflicts between selling and enforcing responsible gaming measures.

What measures will Gespa take in 2025?
Gespa plans intensified inspections, mystery shopping, and ongoing maintenance of the national blacklist of unlicensed operators.

What is the national blacklist?
It is a list of unlicensed gambling domains banned in Switzerland to protect consumers and uphold regulatory compliance.

Have average losses declined?
While average losses decreased slightly in 2024, they remain disproportionately high for sports betting compared to other gambling types.

Why is monitoring online gambling more effective than retail?
Online platforms allow real-time tracking, enforcement of loss limits, and automated alerts, while retail environments are harder to monitor consistently.