Prevention of problem gambling
Operators of large-scale gambling events are obliged by law to take appropriate measures to protect players against gambling risks. The Federal Gambling Act not least contains provisions on youth protection. Minors for instance must not be admitted to online large-scale games.
Obligations of large-scale operators
Would-be operators of large-scale gambling activities must provide for thorough social protection measures and will be obliged to annually report to Gespa on the effectiveness of these measures.
Furthermore, before granting a license, Gespa evaluates the addictive potential of the lottery, betting or skill game envisaged. Depending on such evaluation, Gespa may demand additional protective measures from the operator.
Implementation of the required measures is supervised by Gespa, who may inspect premises/outlets for the purpose.
Prevention levy (Art. 66 GSK)
Art. 66 of the Gambling Concordat (GSK) imposes a prevention levy on the two lottery providers in Switzerland. The cantons levy 0.5% of the gross revenues generated by Swisslos and Loterie Romande in their territories. In 2023 this amounted to roughly 5.8 million Swiss francs at the cantons’ disposal to fight problem gambling.
The cantons are obliged to use the moneys from the levy for the prevention and treatment of gambling addiction. The funds flow systematically into prevention, treatment, research and education. Thanks to the resources made available by the prevention levy, there now exists a system of organisations and expert institutions in Switzerland that deal with problem gambling and offer tailored prevention projects and other services (see also the "Links and contacts" section further below).
Report on the use of the prevention levy by the cantons
On behalf of the Conference of Cantonal Directors – Money Games (FDKG), Gespa conducts annual surveys on the use of the proceeds from the prevention levy. The surveys account, among other things, for the funds used in the year under review, the amounts paid to each recipient and the nature of measures taken. The surveys are published on the “Publications and surveys” page. Gespa also compiles a summary report on the use of the prevention levy every four years.
The FDKG issued recommendations on the use of the prevention levy on 15 November 2021.
This section provides gamblers and their relatives as well as professionals with useful links and contacts related to problem gambling.
Helplines
You can call the free number below to get anonymous advice from specialists on the topics of gambling, gambling problems and gambling addiction, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The national gambling addiction helpline is available in the three national languages.
0800 040 080
Websites / counselling and treatment
The following websites provide useful information on problem gambling and contacts of specialised counselling and treatment services in your region.
German: www.sos-spielsucht.ch
Français: www.sos-jeu.ch and www.stop-jeu.ch
Italiano: www.giocoresponsabile.com
Every canton has an appointed commissioner for addiction. Representatives of a number of cantons are united in the Konferenz der Kantonalen Beauftragten für Suchtfragen (KKBS) (conference of cantonal delegates for addiction-related issues).
With regard to prevention and treatment of gambling addiction, the cantons collaborate with various organisations. Most of the cantons have also joined intercantonal associations implementing common projects to fight problem gambling. The following organisations administer intercantonal prevention programmes or regional projects on behalf of the cantons:
Kooperationsmodell Spielsuchtprävention Nordwest- und Innerschweiz: (Cooperative for problem gambling prevention in northwestern and central Switzerland; cantons AG, BE, BL, BS, LU, OW, NW, SO, UR, ZG)
Coordinated by: Sucht Schweiz
Ostschweizer Verbund: (Association of Eastern Swiss cantons; cantons AI, AR, GL, GR, TG, SG)
Coordinated by: OST - Ostschweizer Fachhochschule
Interkantonales Programm der Romandie (PILDJ): (Intercantonal programme of French-speaking Switzerland; cantons FR, GE, JU, NE, VD, VS)
Coordinated by: GREAPräventionsprogramm des Kantons Tessin (Prevention programme of the canton of Ticino):
Coordinated by: Gruppo Azzardo Ticino - Prevenzione (GAT-P)Präventionsprogramm des Kantons Zürich (Prevention programme of the canton of Zurich):
Coordinated by: Zentrum für Spielsucht und andere Verhaltenssüchte, RADIX
The lottery organisations Swisslos and Loterie Romande provide information on player protection with regard to their gambling products:
Art. 84 of the Federal Act on Gambling stipulates that the organisers must submit an annual report to the supervisory authority on the effectiveness of the measures taken. Gespa analyses the effectiveness reports of the two lottery companies annually and prepares an evaluation report based on them. You can find the latest report under this link.
Note:
For any questions on legal aspects of player and youth protection in the area of lotteries, sports betting and skill games, you may contact us via the contact form.
Contact
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3012 Bern
Switzerland
Map.geo.admin.ch+41 31 313 13 03