Exclusive: Swiss online gambling association formed
Local consultancy group has approached a number of European operators over potential membership.
Zurich-based consultancy Richterich & Partner has set up an independent association for egaming operators looking to have their say on the potential of a regulated Swiss egaming market.
While the first members of Online Gambling Association Switzerland (OGAS) have yet to be named, negotiations have taken place with a number of operators active in the country, whose federal council this month announced its intention to potentially open up online gambling under a consistent set of regulations.
OGAS is communicating with local regulators ahead of the introduction of egaming legislation, with spokesman Fabio Matticoli telling eGaming Review: “The OGAS focuses on working with the Swiss regulator and legislators to ensure a well regulated and non-discriminatory Swiss online gambling regulation.
eGR also understands the Swiss government has set up a separate advisory body that is weighing up the various options and forms of regulation.
A source close to the matter told eGR that its current preferred option is to allow established, licensed land-based businesses to partner with international online operators in order to secure a minimal four to five casino and/or poker-only licences, while sports betting currently remains under the control of the country’s monopoly Swisslos/Loterie Romande.
A number of operators are known to have made preliminary investigations into the likelihood of whether or not the government could change its views and laws surrounding sports betting.
According to a government source the “liberalisation” of the country’s online sports betting law is also “expected” to be the subject of a discussion within the Swiss Federal Council later this year.
Matticoli added that “Direct communication with Swiss authorities on matters such as taxation and licensing is a key task of the OGAS,” and outlined the industry body’s three main objectives:
- To promote the recognition and the image of private providers of online gambling services.
- To provide a suitable vehicle for the industry to share knowledge and resources and to discuss strategic measures responding to common challenges in the Swiss online gambling market in a pre- and post-regulatory environment.
- To provide a source of information about the Swiss market for its members.
Matticoli suggested that the OGAS would be keen to converse with industry bodies in other regulated markets, such as the Danish Online Gambling Association (DOGA), while also noting that “The OGAS attaches great importance to the exchange between online gambling associations such as the RGA and EGBA on a European level.”