Switzerland to Lift Online Gambling Ban

Hot on the heels of the Danes and their decision to open their boarders to international online gaming companies and free up its lucrative gambling market, Switzerland has followed suit. It is the latest country to open its boarders following Denmark and France and means that poker will be available to all.

When the legislation comes into effect the country will take the same route as its peers, that is, it will tax and grant licences. Companies wishing to tap the market will have to apply for a limited number of licences.

Their applications will then be researched and the licence will be applied or denied. The usual suspects will be looking to enter the state.

It will not be a blanket reversal however. All gambling will not be legalized, there will be sectors that remain out of reach but they are not internet based. Gambling via television and over the telephone will keep their illegality.

The Swiss Government estimations say that it can raise $22 million annually through the legislation. Being a smaller country with less of a passion for gambling as its Scandanavian counterparts, the Swiss will not see their pockets filled as deeply but the government still estimates that it can raise $22 million annually through the legislation.