We Swiss are known to be a rather conservative people, but that has changed with the recent passage of a law allowing land-based casinos in the country.
While casinos generate revenue, increase tax revenues and create jobs, there are also concerns among the Swiss population. Some fear that casinos are damaging Switzerland’s reputation as a clean and safe place to live.
Others believe that casinos are a welcome addition to the country’s tourism industry. According to the government, the introduction of casinos has been a success so far.
If you are interested in visiting one of the land-based casinos in Switzerland, we have all the information you need. Read on below to learn more about the dress code, opening hours, entrance requirements and much more.
And if you prefer to play at one of the best online casinos in Switzerland at May 2024, check out this list of legal and licensed providers:
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Grand Casino Baden
The Grand Casino Baden is one of the most popular casinos in Switzerland. This casino is located in the city of Baden and offers its visitors a variety of games and activities.
Read our detailed review of this land-based casino here. The online casino of Grand Casino Baden can be found here tested in detail: Jackpots Experience.
Casino Davos
Casino Davos is a casino located in the Swiss Alpine town of Davos, known for its luxurious gaming and entertainment facilities.
You can find a comprehensive analysis of the land-based Casino Davos in our review here, and you can get an in-depth look at the online version of the casino at 777 Casino Experiences.
Casino Lucerne
Casino Lucerne is a casino located in the city of Lucerne in Switzerland and offers a variety of games and entertainment options for visitors.
Our detailed review of the land-based casino can be found here. A detailed review of the Casino Luzern online casino can be seen at MyCasino.ch Experiences.
Grand Casino Bern
The Grand Casino Bern offers many games and that in the middle of the capital. With many games and a great offer, the Grand Casino knows how to convince.
Read our detailed review of this land-based casino here. We have tested the online casino of the Grand Casino Bern in detail here: 7melons experiences.
Casino Lugano
Casino Lugano brings a smile to every player’s face with the charm of Italian Switzerland.
In our review here, we have rated Casino Lugano for you. You can get a detailed look at the online version of the casino here: Swiss4Win Experience.
Casino Barrière Montreux
Casino Lucerne is a casino located in the city of Lucerne in Switzerland and offers a variety of games and entertainment options for visitors.
Our detailed review of the land-based casino can be found here. Here we have tested the online casino: Gamrfirst experience.
Casino Pfäffikon
The Grand Casino Baden is one of the most popular casinos in Switzerland. This casino is located in the city of Baden and offers its visitors a variety of games and activities.
Casino St. Gallen
Casino Davos is a casino located in the Swiss Alpine town of Davos, known for its luxurious gaming and entertainment facilities.
Casino St. Moritz
Casino Lucerne is a casino located in the city of Lucerne in Switzerland and offers a variety of games and entertainment options for visitors.
Casino Interlaken
The Grand Casino Baden is one of the most popular casinos in Switzerland. This casino is located in the city of Baden and offers its visitors a variety of games and activities.
Casino Zurich
Casino Davos is a casino located in the Swiss Alpine town of Davos, known for its luxurious gaming and entertainment facilities.
Casino Bad Ragaz
Casino Lucerne is a casino located in the city of Lucerne in Switzerland and offers a variety of games and entertainment options for visitors.
Casino Neuchâtel
The Grand Casino Baden is one of the most popular casinos in Switzerland. This casino is located in the city of Baden and offers its visitors a variety of games and activities.
Casino Constance
Casino Davos is a casino located in the Swiss Alpine town of Davos, known for its luxurious gaming and entertainment facilities.
Grand Casino Basel
Casino Lucerne is a casino located in the city of Lucerne in Switzerland and offers a variety of games and entertainment options for visitors.
Gambling in Switzerland
Gambling has been popular in Switzerland for centuries, but it wasn’t until 2000 that a new casino law was enacted. In the following years, the Federal Council approved the opening of 21 Swiss casinos. In 2019, an enormous CHF 356 million was collected through these taxes.
The new Money Gaming Act, which had been in the works for several years, finally came into force in 2019. It merges the previous regulations for casinos and lotteries and also allows online gambling for the first time.
The typical casino games you will find in Switzerland are slot machines, blackjack, poker and roulette. However, sports betting is currently not yet part of the casinos’ offer.
The concessions
In Switzerland, there are two categories of concessions for the operation of casinos: Category A and Category B. The difference lies in the type of games that may be offered and the number of gaming tables and slot machines.
Category A concessions allow a wide range of casino games, including poker, while Category B concessions are usually reserved for course rooms, i.e. smaller establishments that offer a more limited range of games.
So far, eight casinos have received a category A concession and 13 have received a category B concession.
The advantages of casinos
There are several reasons why the Swiss government decided to allow casinos in Switzerland. First and foremost, casinos are an important source of revenue. In 2019, the 21 Swiss casinos collected a total of CHF 356 million in taxes.
In addition to tax revenue, casinos also create jobs. It is estimated that the industry will directly and indirectly create about 3,000 new jobs in Switzerland.
And finally, the casinos are also a tourist magnet. It is believed that they will attract more visitors to the country, which will further boost the economy.
The disadvantages of casinos
Not everyone is enthusiastic about the idea of casinos in Switzerland. Some fear that gambling addiction will increase with the introduction of casinos.
It remains to be seen how casinos will affect Switzerland, but there is no doubt that they will remain a controversial topic in the years to come.
About the author: Alex Baumgartner
Hello! My name is Alex Baumgartner and I run the comparison portal Bestecasinosschweiz.ch.
I have been in the online gambling industry for many years and am the editor of the Gambling and Online Casino Compendium – a reference book on online casinos and gambling (ISBN: 9783744864473).
With over 10 years of experience in online gambling, I’ve seen almost everything before and am happy to pass this knowledge on to you.
My passion for online casinos is evident in my extensive testing, where I combine my enjoyment of the thrill of online casinos with my interest in sharing 100% objective experiences with you.
When visiting a land-based casino in Switzerland
Most people nowadays are used to convenient access to online casinos. But of course, the feeling in a real casino is incomparable. If you’ve never been to a casino before, you may feel a little overwhelmed at first. But don’t worry, we are here to help you! Below, we’ll give you some tips on what to expect and how to prepare for your first visit to a land-based casino in Switzerland.
Arrival to the casino
If you are arriving by car: Most casinos have their own parking spaces. These are usually located nearby and are well signposted. If you are traveling by public transport, you can find the relevant bus or train stops on the website of the respective casino.
How should you dress?
The dress code in Swiss casinos is relatively casual. Nevertheless, we recommend that you do not wear sports or beach clothing. After all, you want to make a good impression when you try your luck at the casino!
Opening hours
Most Swiss casinos are open from 12 noon to 4 am every day. So you have plenty of time to try your luck at blackjack, poker or roulette!
Access conditions
You must be at least 18 years old to enter a Swiss casino. If you look younger, you will be asked for identification. So don’t forget to bring your passport or ID card!
In addition, each casino has its own membership card. You will receive this card for free when you visit the casino for the first time. With this card you can take advantage of special offers and bonuses, as well as collect points that you can redeem for various prizes.
Games and gastronomy offers
Most Swiss casinos offer a wide range of gaming options, including slot machines, blackjack, poker and roulette.
When it comes to food, you can usually find a restaurant on site. The offer ranges from simple snacks to fine dining. So you won’t have to go hungry during your casino visit!
Personal betting limit
We recommend that you set a personal betting limit before you start playing. This will help you avoid getting carried away and spending more money than you are capable of losing.
If you stick to your personal betting limit, you can be sure to have a great time at the casino – whether you win or lose!
Other things you should consider
There are a few things you should keep in mind when visiting a land-based casino in Switzerland. First of all, all casinos require a valid ID for entry. The dress code is usually casual, but can vary from casino to casino. It’s always a good idea to get information in advance.
Some land-based casinos charge admission fees. And also the minimum stakes are usually higher in land-based casinos, so you should find out about that in advance as well. Or make sure you bring enough money to enjoy the casino to the fullest!
But don’t worry, the atmosphere in a casino is always great. And once you get used to it, you’ll feel like a pro in no time! So get ready for an unforgettable experience.
As for the games offered, land-based casinos usually have a wide selection of slots, blackjack, poker and roulette.
Finally, set a personal betting limit in advance and stick to it! If you take these tips to heart, you are guaranteed to have fun and play safely at any of the Swiss casinos.
What the future holds for Swiss casinos
The Swiss government is still working out the details of how to regulate casinos, but it is clear that they are here to stay. With their beautiful locations and luxurious amenities, Swiss casinos will be popular with tourists and locals alike. It remains to be seen what impact they will have on the Swiss economy and way of life.