Key Moments:
- Switzerland has blacklisted a total of 2,944 offshore gambling domains as of February 2026
- 271 new domains have been added to the country’s official unauthorized gambling website list
- Authorities enforce blocks through mandatory DNS restrictions implemented by Swiss ISPs
Regulatory Framework and Market Control
Switzerland has taken further steps to limit access to offshore gambling platforms, expanding its official blacklist with 271 additional domains. According to regulators, the list now contains 2,944 blocked sites as of February 2026, underlining the country’s ongoing commitment to enforcing the Federal Act on Money Games (AMG). This law restricts legal online gambling to Swiss-licensed operators and grants land-based Swiss casinos the ability to apply for online licenses covering digital slots and table games. Foreign operators remain barred from legally accepting bets from Swiss residents.
The legislation also maintains a controlled market for lotteries and sports betting, with public monopolies Swisslos and Loterie Romande operating across different linguistic regions to manage these products.
Enforcement Actions and Oversight
The Federal Gaming Board (ESBK) supervises casino compliance, while Gespa oversees lottery and sports betting regulations. These bodies jointly identify, monitor, and add unauthorized domains to Switzerland’s blacklist. Recent enforcement activity has not only focused on offshore casino and betting sites but has expanded to include affiliate domains found to be redirecting Swiss users to unlicensed operators. This expanded approach formed part of the latest domain additions.
| Enforcement Milestone | Domains Blacklisted |
|---|---|
| November 2025 | 2,673 |
| February 2026 (after latest update) | 2,944 |
Blocking Mechanisms and Legal Approach
To prevent access to blacklisted platforms, Swiss authorities utilize mandatory DNS blocking by internet service providers. When a Swiss user attempts to visit a prohibited gambling website, the ISP redirects them to an official government notification, advising that the site lacks local authorization. This approach aims to restrict local access to unlawful gambling offerings. Some users seek to circumvent these restrictions using virtual private networks, but DNS blocking continues as Switzerland’s principal enforcement tactic. National courts have upheld the legality of this blocking strategy.
Ongoing Oversight and Market Impact
The maintenance of a controlled gambling market, with explicit licensing for online casinos and public monopolies for lottery and sports bets, remains central to Swiss regulatory policy. The growing number of blacklisted sites demonstrates regulatory vigilance against unlicensed and offshore operators. Authorities emphasize that these enforcement measures, from blacklist maintenance to ISP blocking, help safeguard Swiss consumers and ensure market integrity.
- Author
Daniel Williams
