Cantons license small poker tournaments under federal limits, Gespa says
Regulation · SectorWire deskSource published
Source: Gespa (Switzerland) ·
Summary
Switzerland's cantons license and supervise small poker tournaments, a subcategory of small-scale games, according to Gespa. Federal law caps entry fees and the number of events per day and location, and cantons may add further restrictions through their own legislation. Gespa said organisers hosting or tolerating illegal games risk losing future permissions.
Why it matters
Operators planning small poker tournaments need cantonal legislation and licensing in place, with federal caps on entry fees and event frequency limiting their scope.
Cite as: SectorWire, “Cantons license small poker tournaments under federal limits, Gespa says”, 22 January 2026, https://sectorwire.news/item/cantons-license-small-poker-tournaments-under-federal-limits-gespa-say/
Key facts
- Parties
- Gespa
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- Switzerland