Liechtenstein: New ban bans online gambling until at least 2028
The launch of Liechtenstein’s online casino market has been delayed again. The small European country is likely to start issuing licenses to operators before the end of this year. But now it’s at least five years away.
The Liechtenstein government said in a statement that it had decided to postpone the online gambling licensing process until the end of 2028. This is the latest in a series of delays that have complicated efforts to launch an iGaming market in the country.
The decision to delay the launch of the online casino was prompted by concerns about the potential impact of the new market on Liechtenstein’s already thriving land-based casino industry. Casinos are an important source of revenue for state coffers. In 2022, they paid 50 million euros ($54.24 million) in taxes.
Reason for delay
The country's land-based market has also encountered some headwinds in recent years. A citizen-led group is trying to ban all casinos. But the measure did not receive enough support on the ballot earlier this year. Nonetheless, Liechtenstein may have decided to withdraw from the online gambling market in order to calm the unrest.
Another factor that may be causing delays is the continued development of the Swiss online gambling market. Liechtenstein’s neighbors have well-established online gambling markets, and the Swiss government may be concerned that allowing Liechtenstein to open its own online gambling market could lead to an increase in cross-border gambling.
Despite the delays, Alpine Las Vegas is still committed to opening an online casino market in Liechtenstein at some point in the future. However, it's unclear when this will happen.
The delayed launch of online casinos could have a negative impact on the Liechtenstein gaming industry. The country has been trying to diversify its economy away from traditional industries such as banking and tourism, with the online gambling market seen as a potential new revenue stream.
The delay could also make it harder for Liechtenstein to attract new investment in the gaming industry. Investors will be hesitant to support a market that is not yet fully developed.
Cross-border fair competition
As a member of the European Union (EU), Liechtenstein allows operators from other EU countries to enter its gambling market. Since Liechtenstein does not have a gambling license, the government cannot prosecute players who play on foreign websites. This idea has been tested in other countries, but seems to be alive and well in Liechtenstein.
Liechtenstein is also a "grey area" for sports betting. Sports betting, both offline and online, has been legal in the country since 2010. However, there are no known bookmakers or online bookmakers in Liechtenstein. However, many major sports betting providers accept bets from residents of Liechtenstein.
The country has also signed an agreement with Switzerland to share data on banned players, which is expected to come into effect next year after the Swiss parliamentary approval process is completed.
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Source: www.casino.org
