Switzerland’s tightly controlled iGaming market has hit a symbolic milestone with the award of its tenth and final online casino licence. The Eidgenössische Spielbankenkommission (ESBK) has granted Casino Locarno permission to launch CasiNeo.ch, marking another carefully measured step in one of Europe’s most exclusive digital gambling markets.

The licence represents a strategic expansion for the Baden Group, which acquired Casino Locarno in 2022 and already operates Casino Baden’s online platform. The group made history in 2019 when Casino Baden became Switzerland’s first legal online casino following market liberalisation. With CasiNeo.ch, the Baden Group effectively doubles its digital presence in a market where regulatory barriers make each licence a prized commercial asset.

Strict Licensing Framework Maintains Market Control

Switzerland’s Federal Gambling Act, the Geldspielgesetz, imposes stringent entry requirements that make the market nearly impenetrable for new operators. Only established land-based casino operators holding physical licences can apply for digital concessions. And the ESBK caps the total number of online licences at precisely ten.

Casino Locarno, founded in 2002, meets the regulator’s exacting standards for operational history and regional presence. The venue’s acquisition by the Baden Group brought considerable industry expertise to bear, positioning the operator to navigate Switzerland’s demanding compliance landscape with confidence.

The ESBK only recently reopened the licensing window after several years of limited activity. Last year, Novomatic secured market access through Admiral.ch via a partnership with Casino Mendrisio, filling the ninth available slot.

CasiNeo.ch now completes the roster.

Compliance Requirements Create High Barriers

Operating legally in Switzerland demands rigorous adherence to verification protocols. The ESBK requires operators to confirm player age, residency status, and tax domicile before accepting any wagers. Gaming content undergoes continuous regulatory scrutiny, with slot machines and table games subject to technical certification.

These measures serve a dual purpose. They protect consumers while simultaneously creating a protective moat around licensed operators, shielding them from casual market entrants and maintaining the exclusivity that makes Swiss licences so commercially valuable.

Regulator Intensifies Black Market Enforcement

The ESBK’s blacklist of unauthorised gambling websites currently exceeds 3,000 domains targeting Swiss consumers. In 2026, the regulator plans to escalate enforcement efforts through a coordinated campaign with Gespa, the international gambling standards organisation.

Swiss authorities have established direct coordination with internet service providers across the DACH region, implementing technical blocks that prevent access to prohibited domains. This infrastructure-level approach represents one of Europe’s most assertive regulatory strategies for market protection.

Alongside technical measures, the ESBK is launching a public awareness initiative designed to steer consumers toward licensed operators. The campaign highlights the financial and security risks associated with unlicensed platforms while promoting the safety and reliability of regulated alternatives like CasiNeo.ch.

Legislative Stability Faces External Pressure

Swiss federal and regional governments have signalled no immediate intention to revise the Geldspielgesetz. Policymakers remain confident that strict channelisation combined with robust ISP blocking will effectively contain black market activity.

However, regulatory developments in neighbouring markets may test that resolve. Germany and Austria are both conducting comprehensive reviews of their gambling frameworks later this year. Should either jurisdiction liberalise market access or relax licensing requirements, Switzerland could face competitive pressure to reconsider its land-based-only licensing model.

For now, the Swiss market remains a closed shop. The ten licensed operators enjoy a level of regulatory protection rarely seen in European iGaming. The Baden Group’s expansion through CasiNeo.ch underscores the strategic value of these concessions in what remains one of the continent’s most profitable, if most restrictive, digital gambling markets.