The Controlled Development of the Swiss Casino Industry
Abstract
GAMING LAW REVIEW Volume 6, Number 6, 2002 ©Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. The Controlled Development of the Swiss Casino Industry MICHAEL VIEREGGE KEYWORDS Bundesrat (Federal Council, the Swiss seven member executive) Nationalrat (National Council, the Swiss 200member house of representatives) Ständerat (Council of State, the Swiss 46member State/Kanton representatives) Spielbankengesetzt (SBG, Swiss Federal Gaming Act) Eidgenössische Spielbanken Kommission (ESBK, the 7-member Swiss Federal Gaming Commission) Grand Casino (the Type A gaming license) Kursaal-Casino (the Type B license, and a longstanding gaming tradition in the grand halls of Swiss spas) Concerns for equal casino distribution in the different ethnic parts of Switzerland allow for one additional license for central Switzerland (the cantons of Nidwalden, Obwalden, and Uri). Neither of the original applications from this region (specifically from the casinos Engelberg and Stans) satisfied the Commissionâs standards, and new proposals for a casino appear certain to be submitted by June 30, 2002.2 As of now, 22 is the maximum number of casinos Switzerland allows; the decisions of the Bundesrat (Article 16, SBG) are final and uncontestable; and the earliest date for reviews and possible changes comes in five years.3 Meanwhile, with 22 casinos, Switzerland seems certain to offer the highest