Switzerland to open up to foreign online bookmakers

We know and have reported the difficulties that countries such as Holland, Denmark, Italy and France are having introducing or in some cases trying to circumvent EU legislation but Switzerland is radically different because it is not a member of the EU and can therefore do anything it likes with its laws but they are nevertheless investigating liberalization of the online gaming industry. Consulting firm MECN together with law firm MME Partners suggest that the country is certainly one to keep an eye on in the future as they are planning to open up to foreign operators. It is believed that some pressure is being exerted by major foreign online bookmakers who are keen to offer their services to the Swiss people. The report says “The Swiss liberalization plans show how the pressure of foreign online offers on state operators and income forces some states to rethink the existing regulations”. There are strong similarities between the Swiss market and the much larger US market in that neither country is restricted  in the way it can draft laws around online gambling but both have realised that a complete ban is not a viable alternative so both wish to see a highly regulated regime;  in some quarters it is thought they could do well to work together but it seems likely that Switzerland will be ahead. If they do pass legislation allowing foreign operators, the question is who will be first from the majors to enter the market? Watch this space.