During the year, 12 casinos recorded a slight increase and 9 casinos a slight reduction in their Gross Gaming Revenue compared to the previous year. The turnover of Swiss casinos peaked in 2007. Since then, sales have fallen by a third. In 2016, it was below the value of 2004, the first year after the opening of the Swiss casino.
Since their opening in 2004, Switzerland’s casinos have paid a total of US$ 5.68 billion in taxation.
Marc Friedrich, Managing Director Swiss Casino Association, said: "Online casinos are a growing competition for the Swiss casinos. Although they are illegal in Switzerland, they are freely accessible on the Internet. An estimated US$ 249 million is spent abroad each year. Organized gangs operate in Switzerland to a growing extent illegal slot clubs.”
"The illegal turnover is expected to move around US$ 149 million per year. Over the last few years, new casinos, numerous gambling halls and thousands of money-playing machines have been put into operation on the German, Austrian, Italian and French side of the national border, which appeal to many guests from Switzerland. This means that at least US$ 99 million in sales to neighbouring countries flows from Switzerland every year.”
Source: GMB / G3 Newswire
