Swiss casinos fuel AVS with CHF 8.1 billion as online gambling surges
Swiss casinos are not just entertainment venues – they are a vital economic resource for the country. Since 2002, Swiss gaming houses have contributed a total of CHF 8.1 billion in taxes, significantly supporting the Old Age and Survivors Insurance (AVS) and, to a lesser extent, the individual cantons.
How the Swiss casino tax system works
The taxation system for Swiss casinos operates under clear rules:
Type A casinos pay 100% of taxes to the AVS;
Type B casinos allocate 60% to the AVS and 40% to the canton where they are located.
Taxes are applied to the Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) – the difference between bets placed and winnings paid out. Depending on the revenue level, the tax rate ranges between 40% and 80%. On top of this, Swiss casinos also pay standard corporate income tax, resulting in double taxation.
2024: Land-based casinos decline, online gambling booms
In 2024, 21 land-based casinos operated in Switzerland. These licenses expired at the end of the year. The Federal Council renewed 20 of them, while Schaffhausen did not reapply, making room for Winterthur (opening in 2025) and Prilly (set to launch in mid-2026). Despite continued operations, land-based casinos saw a downturn:
GGR for physical casinos reached CHF 587.6 million, down 5.8% from 2023.
Taxes paid amounted to CHF 268.8 million, a 10.7% decrease.
In 2024, Swiss casinos welcomed 3.6 million visitors, operating 232 gaming tables and 4,494 slot machines, the latter accounting for 83% of total gaming revenue.
The top-performing land-based casinos in 2024
The highest-earning land-based casinos in Switzerland in 2024 were:
Mendrisio – CHF 71,6 million
Zurigo – CHF 60,3 million
Baden – CHF 55,5 million
Basilea – CHF55,1 million
Montreux – CHF 47 million
Despite these figures, all reported declines compared to 2023. In response, many venues are reinventing themselves as multifunctional spaces, offering restaurants, events, and live entertainment to attract new audiences.
Continuous growth in online gambling
Meanwhile, the online gambling sector in Switzerland continues its upward trend. In 2024, 10 online casinos were active — each legally linked to a land-based establishment, in line with Swiss regulations.
Key performance data:
Online GGR: CHF 309.9 million (+8.5%)
Taxes paid to AVS: CHF 132.1 million (+10%)
Top 5 Swiss online casinos in 2024
Mycasino.ch (Lucerna)
Swisscasinos.ch (Pfäffikon)
Jackpots.ch (Baden)
Casino777.ch (Davos)
Pasino.ch (Meyrin)
The issue of unauthorised foreign operators
Despite the ban, unauthorised foreign operators still hold a significant 40% market share. However, licensed Swiss online casinos are monitored by the Swiss Federal Gaming Board (SFGB), which oversees transactions, account data, and operations to ensure security and transparency for players.
Casinos as social and digital engines
The Swiss casino sector continues to deliver substantial public revenue, even as it faces new challenges. The future of the industry lies on two strategic fronts:
Transforming land-based casinos into experience-driven destinations;
Strengthening online gambling through clear regulations and strict oversight.
In both cases, the priority remains unchanged: to ensure a responsible, transparent, and sustainable gaming offering.
This article was first published in Italian on 11 June 2025.
