Raffles and Minor Lotteries

Local, regional and cantonal lotteries (raffles, bingo etc.) may be authorised by the relevant cantonal authorities (no permit by Comlot required, see art. 5, section 1, Swiss Lottery Act, LG). Such games are usually organised in the context of smaller-scale fundraising events for non-profit projects and charities.

Based on population figures, the German-speaking cantons and the Italian-speaking canton Ticino have at their disposal an annual contingency of minor lotteries. The annual budget for such lotteries must not exceed CHF 1.50 per capita of the respective canton's population (Art. 8, section c of the old Intercantonal Agreement of 26 May, 1937). In the French-speaking cantons, minor lotteries have been defined as lotteries with a budget smaller than CHF 100,000 (Art. 1, section 2, Convention Loterie romande, C-LoRo).

The lottery ban does not extend to raffles, i.e. lotteries held during entertainment events with prizes given rather than cash; lots are issued and sold, and prizes handed out in immediate conjunction with the event. Raffles fall within cantonal jurisdiction; cantonal governments authorise, restrict or prohibit such events (art. 2, Swiss Lottery Act, LG).