Lotteries

Art. 1 of the Swiss Lottery Act (LG) generally prohibits lotteries; it does not, however, extend to lotteries for entertainment and lotteries without cash prizes (raffles; art. 2, Swiss Lottery Act). Art. 5 of the Swiss Lottery Act (LG) also states that lotteries for non-profit organizations or charities may be authorised.

Intercantonal or national lotteries in Switzerland may only be organised by two Swiss lottery companies, Swisslos in the German and Italian-speaking parts of the country, and Loterie romande in French-speaking Switzerland. The two companies use various distribution channels to provide a range of lottery products authorised by the cantonal governments or by Comlot. Scratch cards and rip lots are available, alongside popular lotteries Swiss Lotto and Euro-Millions, from newsagents, post offices, etc. Some bars and restaurants throughout the country provide electronic gaming facilities. In German-speaking Switzerland, tickets for “Ecco”, a fast-playing type of bingo with fixed odds and outcomes presented on TV screens are available in bars and restaurants; in French-speaking Switzerland, “Tactilo” touch-screens also allow customers to participate in lotteries.