Swiss Regulator Gespa Reports Failures in Retail Age-Verification Checks

The Swiss gambling regulator, Gespa, has issued a stark warning regarding the effectiveness of player protection measures in the country. In its evaluation of the 2025 fiscal year, the authority concluded that while online safeguards are functioning well, the land-based retail sector is failing to prevent underage gambling. The gap between digital oversight and physical retail points poses a significant risk, particularly in the sports betting segment, which remains the most volatile area of the market.

According to the report, the Intercantonal Gambling Supervisory Authority found that the implementation of responsible gambling controls is far more consistent through online channels. This is primarily because digital platforms allow for automated verification and real-time monitoring of player behavior. The physical retail network, consisting of thousands of kiosks and points of sale, lacks this integrated control, leading to frequent lapses in age verification at the counter.

Numbers and facts

The most concerning data comes from mystery-shopping exercises commissioned by the regulator. Out of 200 underage test customers, nearly half were able to place sports bets at retail outlets without being challenged. Self-service betting terminals were noted for being even less restrictive than transactions handled by staff. On the financial side, Swisslos and Loterie Romande reported a combined net profit of CHF 814 million in 2025, a 4.7 percent decrease compared to the CHF 854 million recorded the previous year. Swisslos saw its profit drop by 5.7 percent to CHF 562 million, while Loterie Romande’s profit fell by 2.3 percent to CHF 252 million.

Despite the growth of digital gaming, the land-based sector still dominates the market share. In 2025, 76 percent of the combined gross gaming revenue was generated through physical channels, with only 24 percent coming from online activities. However, the automated monitoring systems used online are proving their worth. Swisslos flagged 3,048 players through these systems, representing 0.47 percent of its active online user base. Furthermore, Swisslos imposed 76 gambling bans in 2025, nearly doubling the 39 bans issued in 2024.

Background

Gespa continues to categorize sports betting as a high-risk product. The Sporttip brand, operated by Swisslos, recorded the highest average player losses and the largest proportion of customers losing more than CHF 2,000 per month. The regulator pointed out that features like 'cash-out' options might encourage impulsive betting behavior. To mitigate these risks, Swisslos introduced a new measure in March 2026, lowering the maximum monthly loss limit to CHF 1,000 for customers aged between 18 and 21.

"Sports betting was identified as the highest-risk product category, with the largest player losses and highest proportion of customers losing more than CHF 2,000 per month." - Gespa Annual Review

The regulator is now working with operators to explore technical solutions for retail points. This includes the potential introduction of identity-scanning technology at self-service terminals and enhanced staff training. The report emphasizes that Article 84 of the Federal Act on Money Gaming (BGS) requires operators to not only implement measures but also prove their effectiveness annually.

Why it matters for German players

For players in Germany, the Swiss findings highlight the importance of the strict regulations imposed by the GlüStV 2021. The German market uses the LUGAS system to ensure that age verification and deposit limits are enforced across all licensed operators. The failures seen in the Swiss retail sector demonstrate why the German GGL insists on central databases for player protection. In Germany, the 1,000 Euro monthly deposit limit and the OASIS lock system provide a safety net that is currently more robust than the decentralized retail checks found in neighboring Switzerland.

German players who choose GGL-licensed casinos are protected from the risks identified in the Gespa report. While the Swiss regulator is just now considering scanners for kiosks, German law already mandates strict ID checks for both online and land-based gambling. This ensures that the high-risk demographic of young male bettors is better protected from excessive losses and impulsive behavior.

What it means for GGL-licensed casinos

Licensed operators in Germany can view the Swiss report as a validation of their player protection technology. The effectiveness of monitoring tools, such as the Sustainable Interaction system used by Loterie Romande, mirrors the requirements for GGL licensees to identify problematic gaming patterns early. As Swisslos plans further research into the behavior of excluded players for 2026 and 2027, German operators and regulators will likely watch these results closely to further refine their own prevention strategies.