Switzerland Expands Gambling Blacklist

Switzerland’s effort to curb unauthorized online gambling has reached another threshold, with regulators adding 376 more web domains to the national blacklist. The latest update brings the total number of restricted sites close to 3,000, reflecting sustained enforcement against offshore operators and the networks that support them.

Authorities expanded the list to include not only foreign casinos and sportsbooks but also affiliate websites that direct Swiss users to those platforms. By targeting referral channels alongside primary operators, regulators signaled their intent to address the broader ecosystem surrounding unlicensed betting services.

Enforcement Under Federal Gambling Law

Oversight of Switzerland’s gambling framework falls to the Swiss Federal Gaming Board and the intercantonal authority Gespa. Both bodies supervise compliance with the Federal Act on Money Games, which sets strict boundaries for who may legally offer betting services in the country.

Under the legislation, only land-based casinos that hold Swiss licenses may operate online casino platforms. The lottery and sports betting segments remain under the control of two state-backed monopolies: Swisslos and Loterie Romande. Foreign gambling companies are barred from accepting wagers from Swiss residents.

The newly blacklisted domains include not only offshore casino and sportsbook sites but also affiliate webpages that promote those services and direct local users to them. Authorities have stated that overseas operators continue attempting to access the Swiss market despite the legal prohibitions, prompting repeated updates to the restricted list.

How Site Blocking Works

To enforce the ban, regulators instruct internet service providers to block access to listed domains using DNS filtering. When a user in Switzerland enters the address of a prohibited site, the ISP intercepts the request. Instead of loading the gambling platform, the browser displays a government warning page.

Swiss courts have consistently upheld this blocking system as lawful and justified on consumer protection grounds. While some users attempt to bypass restrictions with virtual private networks, the legal framework supporting DNS blocking remains intact following rulings by the country’s highest court.

The latest addition of 376 domains marks another step in a long-running effort. By the summer of 2025, authorities had already restricted roughly 2,600 websites. With the newest entries, the overall total is approaching 3,000 blocked domains.

Regulators maintain that limiting the market to licensed domestic operators strengthens oversight and reduces financial crime risks. Officials argue that a “closed but controlled” market helps prevent money laundering, ensures gambling revenue supports public-interest initiatives, and reinforces safeguards designed to address problem gambling.

The steady expansion of the blacklist reflects what authorities describe as an ongoing challenge posed by offshore platforms seeking Swiss customers. Each update to the register signals continued monitoring of the digital gambling landscape and a commitment to enforcing national rules in an increasingly borderless online environment.

As the number of blocked domains climbs, Switzerland’s regulatory bodies appear set to continue tightening digital barriers against unauthorized betting services that attempt to operate beyond the country’s licensing system.