Gespa reports underage sports-betting test purchases at Swiss lottery outlets

Switzerland's Gespa said test purchases of sports bets by minors at physical lottery outlets showed that minor-protection measures are not currently being applied satisfactorily. In almost half of the cases, the minors taking part in the test were able to place a sports bet, according to the authority. The lottery companies are called on to apply the rules in force consistently and to take additional measures where needed, Gespa said.

Gespa commissioned the Swiss Red Cross and its affiliated organisations to carry out the test purchases at physical points of sale of the Swiss lottery companies. Of a total of 200 test purchases, 100 were made at Loterie Romande outlets in French-speaking Switzerland and 100 at Swisslos outlets in German-speaking Switzerland. The purchases took place in rural (agglomerated) and urban areas of the cantons of Vaud and Zurich.

Before publication, the lottery companies contested the lawfulness of Gespa publishing the report, which delayed publication by several weeks, according to the authority. A Gespa decision, now final, confirms that the publication is lawful. Gespa said it will organise further test purchases in the near future.

Gespa had said on 16 March 2026 that the results of the test purchases could not be published as planned because Loterie Romande and Swisslos had applied for an appealable decision. Gespa issued that decision on 11 June 2026, concluding that publication complies with the law and maintaining its intention to publish the final report. At that stage the decision was not final and the two lottery companies had the option of appealing to the Federal Gaming Board.