The Swiss gambling sector faced a downturn in 2025, with revenue from licensed lottery and sports betting taking a hit, according to the latest figures from the Swiss gambling regulator, Gespa. Total turnover for the year from cross-cantonal lotteries and sports betting reached CHF3.87 billion (€4.2 billion), marking a 2.4% decrease from 2024. Gross player yield also fell by 3.7% to CHF1.203 billion, with online channels now accounting for 24% of total yield, a slight increase from the previous year.
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Lottery and Sports Betting Trends
Lottos and scratchcards maintained their dominance in the market, generating about 75% of total gross player yield, consistent with 2024’s figures. Despite their leading position, products such as EuroMillions and Swiss Lotto saw a 3.3% revenue decline, earning CHF1.277 billion and CHF583.1 million, respectively. Scratchcard sales totaled CHF810.5 million, with a gross player yield of CHF316.7 million, down 2.9%. Sports betting also experienced a drop, generating CHF1.174 billion with a yield of CHF223.2 million, a 4.4% reduction. Notably, PMU’s horse-racing pools fell sharply by 13.7% to CHF103.5 million. Still, the two major cross-state lottery operators, Swisslos and Loterie Romande, both reported declines in net profit. Swisslos recorded profits of CHF562 million, a 5.7% decrease, while Loterie Romande’s net profit was CHF252 million, down 2.3%. These profits are channeled by Swiss cantons into cultural, social, and sports programs.
Regulatory Activity and Market Dynamics
Gespa, the inter-cantonal authority, actively oversees lotteries and betting markets in Switzerland on behalf of cantons. In 2025, Gespa authorized 62 new games and approved 59 game modifications. The regulator also executed test purchasing operations at retail lottery outlets to ensure compliance with age restrictions for sports betting, a practice resulting in reports by year’s end. Additionally, the regulatory market saw 1,225 small lottery licenses, up from the previous year, while nine local sports betting licenses operated across five cantons. Poker tournament licenses experienced a slight decline, with 77 issued to 36 organizers across 19 cantons. Gespa also engaged in 25 investigations into possible illegal gambling operations, providing search assistance and forensic expertise.
Growth and Future Outlook
Despite the overall downturn, the skill-games segment exhibited growth, increasing by 2.3% to CHF19.2 million in gross player yield. The number of authorized operators held steady at 17, although the count of physical machines dropped from 1,540 to 1,406. Ten online skill-game products remained active throughout the year. Gespa’s crackdown on unauthorized gambling sites continued, with five new domain blocks bringing the total of blocked domains to 671 by the end of 2025. But whether these efforts will lead to a stabilization or increase in revenue remains an open question. Looking ahead, the Swiss gambling market must adapt to shifting player preferences and regulatory requirements. The board’s next steps could involve further technological integration to entice a digital-savvy market. Industry observers will watch closely as the board discusses potential policy changes in the upcoming quarters.
Garry Sputnim is a seasoned journalist and storyteller with over a decade of experience in the trenches of global news. With a keen eye for uncovering stories that resonate, Alex has reported from over 30 countries, bringing light to untold narratives and the human faces behind the headlines. Specializing in investigative journalism, Garry has a knack for technology and social justice issues, weaving compelling narratives that bridge tech and humanity. Outside the newsroom, Garry is an avid rock climber and podcast host, exploring stories of resilience and innovation.
