According to reports, lawmakers in Switzerland’s Federal Council are lifting a ban on online gambling and planning the creation of a new gambling regulatory authority.
According to Poker Industry Pro, the authority would consist of representatives from the existing regional gambling regulators. The authority would be responsible for creating a licensing regime for both local and international gaming companies.
It calls for the country’s 21 brick-and-mortar casinos to be allowed to offer online games by allowing operators to obtain online gaming licenses.
The publication Ubersetzer reports that new regulations will include roulette, blackjack and other gambling via the Internet, along with small poker tournaments outside of casinos.
The country’s ban on online gaming in the country has been immediately repealed, allowing the country’s residents to legally wager online in advance of the new law being enforced on Jan. 1, 2019, according to reports.
The law also would not tax online gaming income, including from online poker. Income tax will continue to be levied on both lotteries and sports wagering. Taxes from online gaming will be designated for “charitable purposes, in particular in the fields of culture, social projects and sport.”
The Federal Council announced that regulation will better protect consumers and enable existing licensed casinos to apply to offer real-money Internet gambling services. Consumer protection will be increased with Swiss cantons obliged to take measures against problem gambling and provide treatment for people with gambling issues.
