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Many citizens are looking for a reputable platform for sports betting in Switzerland. Since the Swiss citizens agreed to the new gambling law, everyone is a little unsure. What is allowed now? What will change? Since 1.1.2019, the new gambling law has come into force and the exact legal situation for online sports betting is somewhat opaque. This was reason enough for our experts at Citeulike to shed some light on the topic of online betting in Switzerland.
In this article, we will inform our readers about the legal situation in Switzerland and show you where sports betting in Switzerland is still legal. We will also briefly touch on the subject of betting tax, bonuses and payment methods. Finally, we will briefly compare the betting providers in Switzerland with Germany and Austria. With this, we at Citeulike want to give you a quick overview of the current situation for betting in Switzerland.
Our number 1 best betting provider for sports betting in Switzerland – With 20Bet, women and men bet safely and conveniently online on their favourite sports. The sports betting website of the bookmaker 20Bet is one of the best of its kind. Because here you will find everything that makes the heart of a sports betting fan beat faster: the best betting odds, good minimum odds, a huge selection of sports, live betting and many other great bets in Switzerland.
Currently, new customers get a welcome offer of 100% for up to CHF 120 for a deposit of CHF 20, plus 120 free spins for the slot “Elvis Frog in Vegas” and a separate sports bonus.
If you are looking for a reliable and reputable bookmaker, 20Bet is the right place for you. Because the betting provider is one of the best of its kind and offers you everything you need for your sports betting.
Advantages:
Very large range of sports
Very good betting odds
Many promotions for jackpots & free spins
Generous welcome bonus for new customers
Minimum deposit in the good range
Disadvantages:
Customer service only available in English
Sportaza
Close behind in second place among the best betting providers for sports betting in Switzerland is Sportaza. Sportaza is also a very large and popular sports betting provider in Switzerland. Sportaza has built up a very good reputation in recent years and offers its customers many advantages when betting online in Switzerland.
Currently, you can benefit from the welcome offer of 100% for up to CHF 200 for sports betting at the betting provider Sportaza. This bonus is automatically credited to the betting account for new customers in the course of their first deposit, and the minimum deposit for this sports betting bonus is only 20 Swiss francs.
We at Citeulike can recommend Sportaza with a clear conscience. Because Sportaza is a very reputable and reliable sports betting provider where you can safely bet online.
Advantages:
Respectable and reliable
Automatic crediting of the welcome bonus
Very large range of sports including e-sports
Fair turnover conditions and minimum quota
Disadvantages:
Missing app
22Bet
Our 3rd place of the best betting providers for sports betting in Switzerland – 22Bet. 22Bet is a very large sports betting provider that, in addition to the possibility of betting, also offers a large selection of casino games and live casino.
Currently you can benefit from a welcome bonus of 100% for up to CHF 122 for sports betting at 22Bet + free bet for new players at online betting in Switzerland. The sports betting bonus is valid without a bonus code with a minimum deposit of CHF 20.
What we like best about 22Bet is the huge selection of deposit and withdrawal methods. There is hardly a betting provider that offers as many different payment options as this online sports betting provider. In our experience, 22Bet is a reliable provider.
Advantages:
Huge range of sports and payment options.
Very generous welcome bonus
Live casino and sports betting in one
With functional app
Minimum deposit in the good range
Disadvantages:
Not so many special promotions
Are there licensed sports betting providers in Switzerland?
There are two types of licensed sports betting providers in Switzerland. The first group are the Swiss betting providers with a domestic sports betting license. According to Comlot, there are currently only two licensees offering sports betting on the internet:
Swisslos
Jouez Sport (via the Loterie Romande).
Is sports betting legal in Switzerland?
Basically, sports betting is legal in Switzerland. Local bookmakers are regulated by the authorities in the respective cantons. However, this only concerns betting on site at a sporting event. Strict rules from federal law apply to the stakes. The most common betting in Switzerland is on horse races.
Sports betting on the internet is also legal. All that is needed is a corresponding license from Switzerland. Since the new Money Gambling Act only came into force on 1.1.2019, no new licensing procedures have currently been completed. Placing online bets on international platforms of betting providers is legal for Swiss citizens. However, there are also foreign providers to choose from. Currently, only the two Swiss providers already listed above offer sports betting on the internet. But even among locals who place bets, there are two different types.
Two types of sports bettors: private and professional
The vast majority of people who have placed sports bets with bookmakers do so for fun. Of course, everyone is happy to take a small profit with the minimum deposit with gambling sites. But most of the time, people watch a sporting event on the spot or on television. In doing so, one bets on a certain score or event in the game. People do this simply because betting makes sport more exciting. Nobody even thinks about making a living out of it. These people enjoy the good entertainment and the increased excitement from the bet they have placed.
However, not all people see it that way. A few have made this hobby their profession. These people try to know better about the minimum odds than a betting provider in Switzerland by having as much insider knowledge as possible. So they look for good chances and place as many supposedly safe bets as possible. Supposedly, you can recognise professionals because they never place a sports tip combo. But you can learn some strategies from these people, even if you are only betting for the sake of good entertainment.
Professionals only ever bet in a sport they know well. They are true experts in this field and know many of the athletes, coaches and trainers personally. They spend their whole day gathering as much good information as possible.
These experts always think about a precise strategy. They develop their own sports tip betting programme, to which they then adhere emotionlessly.
Professionals always compare odds on different betting portals. After they have decided on a “safe” tip, they look to see where the profit is highest. (The odds are best)
Sports betting in Switzerland – current legal status
In Switzerland, sports betting is considered a money game. The definition can be found in Art. 3 Bst. c BGS. In the letter “e” it is then specified that sports betting online is considered a large-scale game. This has the greatest advantage for you as a player that winnings of up to one million have been tax-free since 1.1.2019. The new Gaming Act also allows foreign betting providers to apply for a Swiss license.
However, no international betting provider has done so yet, because most of them already have existing licenses from Europe. Nevertheless, in theory they should also be able to present a domestic sports betting license. But the nice thing about the whole situation due to the new gambling law is that nowhere does it say anything about the customers. So no one is liable to prosecution if they place tip bets with an international betting provider. As soon as a site is not blocked by a network block, anyone can legally place sports bets in Switzerland.
How to recognise reputable sports betting providers
In the case of domestic providers, the authorities have already done all the work for us and checked everything in detail. The international portals with sports betting for Swiss people must meet a few important requirements so that you can bet there without worrying. Our experts at Citeulike recommend that you only register with betting providers where all these points are met.
Casino licenses
You must have a valid gambling license, preferably from Europe. The best countries for this are Great Britain, Malta, Germany and Gibraltar.
General terms and conditions, privacy policy and imprint
The terms and conditions, privacy policy and imprint must be clear and easy to find.
Bonus offer
Bonus conditions for any bonus offers should be simple to understand and easy to fulfil.
Game offer
The range of sports, leagues and events should be sufficient.
Live sports betting
The live betting offer should work flawlessly and the odds on the market should be attractive.
Information
A comprehensive responsible gaming section with support and the possibility for players to voluntarily set spending limits is mandatory for betting providers in Switzerland.
Betting
At least 30 sports and sufficient betting markets per event should be offered.
Payouts
Payouts of winnings should be fast and uncomplicated.
Scope and quality of bonus offers
We also assess the scope and quality of the bonus offers.
Payment methods
Payment methods should be available that are suitable and common.
Customer service
Customer service should be available around the clock and respond quickly to enquiries.
Languages
The online betting provider should offer the betting offer in the Swiss national language German.
What can the Swiss bet on?
Due to the foreign bookmakers, one can profit in this country not only from Swiss betting providers but also from the large offer of betting markets. These are usually around 30 different sports in total. However, the locals definitely like to place horse bets the most. This is closely followed by football and tennis. Horse betting is the biggest favourite with many betting providers in Switzerland and thus also with online sports betting Switzerland. In addition, sports betting fans can look forward to a large range of bets on various football leagues, such as the Premier League or Serie A.
On the other hand, on the sites of the betting providers Switzerland, there is not so much game selection of online betting in Switzerland. At Swisslos and Jouez Sport you can only bet on a few sports. Horse bets are not included at all. On the other hand, football bets are also possible here. Below we briefly list the sports available from Swisslos:
Football
Ice hockey
Tennis
Handball
Basketball
American Football
Rugby
Golf
Cycling
Biathlon
Betting on football is very popular in Switzerland
Betting on football is very popular in Switzerland. The Swiss Super League is one of the most popular leagues for punters to bet on. The UEFA Champions League, Premier League, Serie A and other international competitions are also very popular with players in Switzerland. Some of the most popular events among Swiss players are the FIFA World Cup, UEFA European Championship and UEFA Champions League. Of course, other sports are also available in wide selection at Swiss betting sites and online casinos, but football is the most popular sport among Swiss as well as online bookmakers.
Tennis betting in Switzerland
Roger Federer and Stan Wawrinka are two of the world’s most famous tennis players. Both come from Switzerland and their successes have helped to make tennis very popular in Switzerland. Betting on tennis is particularly interesting because there are many events to bet on during the match. Live betting is very popular with tennis players in Switzerland. Next to football, tennis is the second most popular sport in Switzerland.
Is there a betting tax on sports betting in Switzerland?
There are two types of tax on a sports bet. It depends on where the betting provider is located. On the one hand, as already mentioned, there are local sporting events. With the permission of the canton, bets can be offered there. Most of the time, there are low legal limits for betting here. Winnings from betting on such local events are subject to tax only from CHF 1,000.
The second tax variant relates to online sports betting. There, one is allowed to win no less than CHF 1 million tax-free annually. This is because Swiss betting providers and providers of domestic portals already pay the betting tax. Nevertheless, you are obliged to declare all winnings in total in your tax return. For exact and legally reliable information, please contact your tax advisor. Note that our Citeulike testers are not tax experts.
Use of bonuses at sports betting online
On every portal there are some fancy bonus offers. This is at least true for the good ones among the sports betting providers. But some promotions occur almost everywhere. Anyone who is not yet a professional should know these betting bonuses and what they mean. Then you can specifically look out for them. Here is a clear list of bonus offers that we encounter most often in our tests at Citeulike.
Welcome bonus: This bonus is also available at Sportwetten Schweiz. The first deposit is usually doubled. The bonus conditions are usually much easier to fulfil than in casinos. On the other hand, the maximum amount is usually lower.
Deposit bonus: If you deposit real money again, you will receive another bonus. This can be bonus money or free bets in various bet types.
Cash Back Bonus: Here the customer is refunded a percentage of all his losses in a certain period of time by the betting provider, a good opportunity to still win something with everything.
Cash Out Function: This allows you to have a bet paid out prematurely. To do this, the prediction must be correct, even though the end of the game or race has not yet been reached. This means that the bet cannot be lost afterwards. You get a lower amount paid out than the original minimum odds.
Free bet: You can place a sports bet without making a deposit. However, this usually only applies to certain sporting events and online sports betting.
Odds booster: You get an increase on a certain minimum odds and thus higher winnings paid out.
Combination bet bonus: This can be an increase in the multiplier. Or you do not have to win all bets. It then becomes a kind of system bet.
Safe Bet Switzerland Bonus: With this promotion, you can only win a certain bet or you get your stake back. Losing is therefore excluded.
Secure payment methods for sports betting Switzerland
A reputable betting provider should also have secure and common payment methods. This shows that the payment providers trust this site. They do not want to put their good reputation at risk. Therefore, this can also be seen as an indicator of a reputable site. In the list below, we have reviewed the most important secure payment providers and written some comments on them.
Bank transfer: The dominant payment method on the market for years. Here you have to be prepared for a waiting time of 2 to 5 bank days. Only then will the credit appear in the account of the betting provider Switzerland.
Credit cards: Visa / Mastercard
E-wallets: Electronic wallets have the advantage of lightning-fast deposits and withdrawals. The disadvantage is that you have to load some beforehand because you can only pay with credit.
Skrill: A payment service provider based in London. The service enables payment via the internet.
Neteller: The company Paysafe Financial Services Limited, based in Cambridge, operates payment services under the brand Neteller, which enables payment on the internet.
PayPal: In contrast to online casinos, the payment provider is still active in sports betting and bookmaking. Register with your e-mail address, link it to your bank account and PayPal can be used to make deposits at betting providers in Switzerland.
ecoPayz: With an ecoPayz account, you can receive, send and spend money worldwide – all with just one online account.
Direct bank transfers: This is basically just like a normal bank transfer. Only here, the payment provider guarantees the amount paid for the duration of the transaction. Thus, the credit appears immediately on the account of the betting provider, although the transfer only arrives after 1 to 5 bank days. However, these providers cannot pay out winnings.
Postfinance: Postfinance is a subsidiary of the public Swiss Post, which is active in private customer business as well as business customer business and is one of the most important Swiss financial institutions. Postfinance is a popular provider for deposits and withdrawals.
Giropay: An online payment procedure from parts of the German banking industry. It is based on the transfer via online banking and has been specially optimised for the requirements of e-commerce.
Klarna: Klarna is the Swedish provider of financial services. The company offers payment solutions in the field of e-commerce.
Cash Bons: This allows you to transfer cash to the internet. You simply buy the Cash Bon in the shop and then top up the amount with a PIN.
Paysafecard: This is a prepaid card that you can buy at many petrol stations and kiosks. The card has a certain value and can then be used on the supplier side.
Cash to Code: This is a payment system based on a voucher system. This allows you to have money deposited directly into your account at a retail location.
5 tips for a good sports bet
As with the pro tips above, there are a few good tips on how to make a good sports bet at the betting provider in Switzerland. If you follow these regularly, you will definitely have the chance to win more often. In addition, this keeps the good entertainment and the fun of the sport in the foreground. Therefore, memorize the following five points well. Because these can actually guide you into a happy sports betting career.
Only bet with money that you do not need to live on. Set yourself voluntary limits on the amount you are willing to spend. You must never exceed this limit, free of emotion, even if things are going so well at the moment.
Only bet on sporting events where you personally know the game well. A certain level of expertise always increases your statistical chances of winning. That is why sports betting is not really a game of chance, but a kind of game of skill. Never believe someone else’s sure bets.
Compare the odds at the different bookmakers like the prices in the supermarkets. Get every bonus you can. But this only applies to bets you were going to place anyway.
Don’t make complicated combination bets with lots of tips.You know that not many in the sports pool have them all right. The multiplied odds may sound tempting, but most of the time the combos don’t work out. That’s why the possible win amounts are so high.
Try your hand at favourite bets.Once you have practice betting on favourites, you can also try small combined bets with them.
Comparison of the sports betting market in Switzerland, Germany and Austria
If you are interested in sports betting in Switzerland, we offer you a clear overview of the legal situation in the DACH region in the table below. Only in Austria is there a truly free market for betting. That is why many internationally active betting providers come from the small Alpine republic.
In Germany, too, there is now a separate licence for casino providers and online casino providers. When it comes to sports betting in Switzerland, the Swiss are a little more reserved and have not yet issued any licences for international betting providers. Nevertheless, our Swiss market for sports betting is not so bad either.
Feature
Switzerland
Germany
Austria
Legal regulation
New Gaming Act since 1.1.2019
New Sports Betting Act since 1.1.2020
Separate regulation per federal state
Local sports betting
With the approval of local authorities
With the approval of local authorities
With the approval of local authorities
Online sports betting
2 Swiss providers
New licensing since 2020
Freely accessible, many providers
Stake tax
none
5 %
none
Tax on profits
Local up to CHF 1,000 tax-free Online up to CHF 1 million tax-free
tax-free
tax-free
Conclusion – Sports Betting in Switzerland
The so-called voters have decided that international betting providers should be excluded from the Swiss sports betting market. In the implementation, however, they are not quite so harsh. The planned network blocks have not been properly implemented to date. Therefore, the Swiss can continue to bet with international providers without worrying. This is because all legal restrictions only apply to bookmakers and thus to the operators of betting sites for sports betting in Switzerland.
There are two domestic betting providers, but with a very small offer. The international sports betting providers usually have many more sports, betting markets, bonus offers and even payment methods in their programme. Therefore, we at Citeulike recommend that you rather choose a reputable and secure international online provider.
Sports betting in Switzerland – FAQ
Yes, all Swiss people can place sports bets completely legally. This applies both to local sporting events, which are approved by local governments. But also on the internet, there are no legal requirements for people placing bets. Only the bookmakers themselves have to get the appropriate license.
There are around 30 sports available with many international sports betting providers. The Swiss prefer to bet on horse racing and football. But ice hockey, tennis, motor sports, handball and basketball are also popular sports for sports betting with the bookmakers.
Yes, due to the betting tax, all winnings from sports betting must be declared in the tax return. However, there is an exemption amount of CHF 1,000 for small money games. This applies to sporting events where bets are only placed locally. Those who place bets on the internet can enjoy an exemption amount of one million Swiss francs. This is because online betting is one of the big money games. Those who place sports bets professionally should consult their tax advisor. He or she will know exactly what taxes have to be paid.
For local sporting events, winnings of up to CHF 1,000 per year are completely tax-free. Online sports betting is one of the so-called big money games. There, winnings up to 1 million Swiss francs per year are tax-free. Nevertheless, the winnings must be declared in the tax return according to the betting tax.
Michael Dreher is a passionate lover of the casino industry, having seen the entertaining side of the gaming scene from a young age. Born in Switzerland, Michael is an English-fluent casino expert who has devoted his time and energy to understanding the industry, passing on must-have expertise to casino gamers across Switzerland and beyond.
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