Compliance Updates
Swiss Federal Council Grants Licence for Online Casino Luzern
This summer, Grand Casino Luzern is going online. The Swiss Federal Council has given the green light, issuing the licence for the Online Casino Luzern. With mycasino, the classic casino experience meets the new online world in a unique way. The online casino from Lucerne offers Switzerland an attractive experience with high protection for players.
The new Gambling Act has legalised online gambling in Switzerland. It enables responsible Swiss casinos to establish and operate their own online casinos. In recent years, Grand Casino Luzern has been preparing intensively for its entry into the online business with its dedicated brand, mycasino.ch. It stands for innovative, safe gambling from Switzerland, for Switzerland.
Online casino for all of Switzerland
The positive decision of the Federal Council was met with huge excitement in Lucerne. According to Casino CEO Wolfgang Bliem, ‘Grand Casino Luzern is one of the first to receive a licence for a Swiss online casino from the Federal Council. We see the online casino market as an additional and important sales channel for the casino, the core business of our company.’
Safe gambling, responsible support for players and reliable handling of data are key pillars of Grand Casino Luzern’s online strategy. The casino has been certified in accordance with the strict standard ISO 27001 for its information security. Grand Casino Luzern has already been held the GoodPriv@cy certificate for data protection for ten years.
Future vision: a virtual seat at the roulette table in Lucerne
The online casino mycasino.ch offers a varied, international range of games that are easy to access and tailored to the requirements of Swiss customers. The international range of slot games leaves nothing to be desired. For table games there is a very special innovation in the planning stage – once we receive an operational licence we aim to bring together the casino and the online world in the form of a live roulette table. The game will be transmitted via live stream from Grand Casino Luzern to mycasino.ch. That means you can play live in the casino in the usual way, or online. We have already reserved a place for this new highlight in the prestigious casino building on the Lucerne lake promenade.
CEO Wolfgang Bliem emphasises the close connection between mycasino.ch and players. ‘We want to offer our customers in Switzerland a unique, fair and safe gambling experience. We set high standards for our range of games. All our online games are certified. As a licensed Swiss online casino we guarantee fair conditions and instant payouts for big wins. And we have our nationwide customer service on hand here as well.’
The Grand Casino Luzern Group is an independent Swiss company. Its company Kursaal-Casino AG Luzern has a broad shareholder base with strong links to central Switzerland. The largest single shareholder is the City of Lucerne, which holds an 11% stake.
Source: Grand Casino Luzern AG
Compliance Updates
IAGR confirms new Board members
The International Association of Gaming Regulators (IAGR) has announced the appointment of four new trustees to its Board, each bringing unique expertise and leadership to strengthen IAGR’s global regulatory efforts:
- Anders Dorph, Danish Gambling Authority (Europe)
- Peter Kesitilwe Emolemo, Gambling Authority of Botswana (Africa)
- Kevin Mullally, General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (Asia/Oceania)
- Louis Rogacki, New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (North America)
IAGR President Ben Haden said, ‘I’m delighted to welcome our four new trustees to the IAGR Board. Their diverse expertise and leadership across different jurisdictions will bring fresh perspectives to our work, further strengthening our global approach to gaming regulation.
‘I look forward to collaborating with Peter, Louis, Kevin and Anders as we continue to foster innovation and drive forward effective, responsible regulation for the benefit of the global gaming community.
‘We also extend a big thank you to Trude Høgseth Felde and Mabutho Zwane for their dedicated service as they complete their terms on the Board, and I’m pleased to announce that Jason Lane will continue for another term as a Trustee.’
As a leading forum for gaming regulators worldwide, IAGR enables members to meet, share information, discuss legislative developments, exchange views and learn best practices in gaming regulation.
In recent news, IAGR has also confirmed that its 2025 annual conference will be held in Toronto, Canada, from 20 to 23 October 2025, with registrations opening in early 2025.
Compliance Updates
MGA Issues First ESG Code Approval Seals to Licensees
The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) has awarded its first-ever ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) Code Approval Seals to licensees in the online gaming sector, marking a milestone in the Authority’s commitment to promoting responsible and sustainable industry practices.
This initiative follows the launch of the voluntary ESG Code of Good Practice last year, which invited licensees to submit their ESG disclosure returns. The Code, which covers 19 topics categorised under Environmental, Social and Governance pillars, offers a strategic roadmap for online gaming companies to streamline their reporting efforts.
Following the first annual reporting cycle, 14 gaming operators have been awarded the ESG Code Approval Seal. The Code supports two levels of reporting: Tier 1, which establishes foundational ESG standards, and Tier 2, which represents a more aspirational approach.
Seals are valid for one year, with flexibility for renewal in the subsequent reporting period, allowing operators to advance or adapt their reporting tier year by year.
“We believe this initiative will significantly enhance the industry’s reputation and sustainability credentials,” MGA CEO Charles Mizzi said.
“By integrating ESG considerations into their operations, gaming companies not only contribute to the wellbeing of society and the environment but also strengthen the trust and confidence that consumers, investors, and regulators have in the industry. This initiative sends a clear message: sustainability, in the broadest sense of the word, is integral to the future of the gaming sector.”
Compliance Updates
Turkish Football Federation to Penalise Clubs Promoting Illegal Betting
The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) has introduced new regulations to crack down on illegal betting advertisements in professional football.
According to the TFF, clubs found violating the new rules will face fines and, in case of repeated offenses, the deduction of points.
Under the updated guidelines, any club in the Turkish Super League involved in unauthorised betting promotions will face a tiered penalty system.
The first violation will result in a fine of 2 million Turkish Liras (around $58,000), and the second offense will incur a 5 million lira fine and a third violation will see the fine increased to 10 million liras. For subsequent breaches, clubs will be fined 10 million liras for each offense, along with a three-point deduction from their league standings.
“It is forbidden to promote or advertise betting organizations not licensed by competent authorities. This includes any media, billboards and other equipment used within stadium,” the TFF stated.
The TFF emphasised that the ban also applies to entities affiliated with these betting organisations, including those involved in promoting and advertising activities in a way that suggests endorsement of illegal betting.
The global scale of the illegal betting market is staggering, with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime estimating its worth at $1.8 trillion. In Türkiye alone, the sector is projected to exceed 100 billion liras, according to the Financial Crimes Investigation Board.
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