House Draws

House Draws have become increasingly popular internationally. In a House Draw, lots are sold to win a house. The draw only tends to be held if a minimum number of lots are sold by a certain deadline. The organiser usually keeps any gains resulting from the draw.

Art. 1, item 1, of the Swiss Lottery Act (LG) generally prohibits lotteries. Any House Draws held without due authorisation by relevant Swiss bodies is therefore illegal.

Comlot, Switzerland's Intercantonal Lottery and Betting Commission, grants permission for intercantonal and national lotteries (art. 7 and art. 14 of the Intercantonal Agreement on the Supervision, Authorisation and Use of Earnings from Intercantonal or National Lotteries and Betting Activities, IVLW).

In Switzerland, only Swisslos and Loterie Romande may be authorised national or intercantonal lottery or betting services (art. 1 IVLW, esp. art. 3 of the Intercantonal Agreement dated 26 May, 1937, respectively art. 1 of Convention Loterie romande, C-LoRo). No other providers of intercantonal or national House Draws will be authorised to hold draws and Comlot will report to the criminal prosecutor anyone who holds unauthorised House Draws in Switzerland.

Cantonal prosecutors investigate and adjudicate any violations according to art. 47 of the Swiss Lottery Act (LG). While Comlot does not have the power to prosecute, it will report to the prosecutor any violations of Swiss law.