The introduction of the new regulations will kick off a six month period in which the Federal Council will process applications from the country’s land-based casinos to extend their existing licences to cover online gaming.
As a result, the introduction of the controversial provisions to block access to unlicensed gaming sites will not come into force until July 2019. This provision in the Geldspielgesetz proved threatened to derail the progress of the gaming bill, with many arguing that it amounted to online censorship. Its opponents gathered enough signatories to force a national referendum on the issue in July this year.
However the Swiss public voted overwhelmingly in favour the legislation, with 72.9% of voters backing the Geldspielgesetz, allowing it to pass without further changes.
The Geldspielgesetz also sets out new regulations for small-scale poker tournaments held outside of casinos, allowing for competitions with a maximum buy-in of €176 and prize pools of €19,800 to be allowed from January next year.
Source: GMB / Totally Gaming
