Liechtenstein extends iGaming prohibition

Jake Graves December 15, 2023

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Liechtenstein extends iGaming prohibition

Liechtenstein’s government has extended the nation’s prohibition on online gambling until at least 2028. Despite legalising the sector in 2010, the Central European country has not issued a licence to any online operators since, effectively rendering the industry unavailable.

A fresh extension on the processing of online gambling licence applications until the end of 2028 will also prolong the wait for the inauguration of the sector, proving a blow to any operators looking to capitalise on Leichtenstein’s impressive wealth.

Gambling in Liechtenstein

Despite the online gambling prohibition, the sector’s land-based counterparts have been and continue to thrive across Liechtenstein for the time being. A ban on licenced casinos has already been introduced, coming into effect last year in the hopes of stemming the growth of gambling within the country.

Regardless of the regulatory stance being upheld in Liechtenstein, an appetite for gambling in the nation has been expressed with a referendum in 2023 that decided to keep casinos open until 2028, with 73 percent of the 70 percent electoral turnout voting against a ban.

Despite this, the government in Liechtenstein is still concerned about the potentially harmful impacts of a thriving gambling industry such as damage to the country’s reputation and the possibility of a more prevalent presence of gambling addiction.

Economic benefits of gaming

On the other hand, casinos are undoubtedly a significant factor in the success of the Liechtenstein economy with the very first year of casino activity in 2018 yielding CHF53.5 million (approx. EUR56.3 million) in revenue between the two land-based venues at the time.

A hefty tax income was also received that year with a taxation rate of 34.5 percent yielding CHF19.9 million for the constitutional monarchy’s economy. One would have to assume a similar if not greater contribution could be made by active online operators.

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