Unlawful Betting Unveiled in Bern: Is the Allure of Legitimate Offers in Switzerland Insufficient?
Last Friday evening, Bern Cantonal Police conducted a raid on a presumed underground gambling establishment situated on Wankdorfstrasse. One individual was apprehended and relevant evidence collected. This isn't the first time such an incident has occurred in Bern.
Money, Laptops, and Slot Machines Seized
According to local news source Bärn Today, the operation was not impromptu but rather stemmed from prior investigations. The allegations were substantiated once it was found that unlawful gambling and sports betting were being promoted within the establishment.
A total of 19 individuals were scrutinized and one was apprehended. No business permit was discovered on the premises. Additional evidence was collected by seizing gaming devices, laptops, and a substantial amount of Swiss Francs in cash.
Beyond the illegal gambling accusations against the suspect(s), the Bern Cantonal Police has also initiated probes concerning potential violations of the Foreigners and Integration Act.
Is Switzerland's Gambling Legislation Overly Restrictive?
Ever since 2019, the new Gaming Regulation has been in effect in Switzerland, governing various forms of gambling and detailing who may facilitate them. The intention behind this legislation was to combat the black market.
Recently, the Swiss Federal Council granted new permits and renewed existing ones. However, the number of applications was small, as the criteria were deemed complex. For instance, only online casinos can operate in Switzerland if there's an existing land-based counterpart.
Experts and researchers worldwide emphasize that extremely stringent gambling regulations might inadvertently fuel the black market. Unlicensed online providers and illicitly set-up slot machines appeal to players with alluring payout percentages because they don't need to pay licensing fees or taxes. This can make it harder to promote legal gambling options.
Several Legal Providers in Bern
For residents of Bern, there are numerous legal alternatives to clandestine backroom casinos. Alongside the slightly more refined Grand Casino Bern, there's also the more relaxed Spielsalon Piazza.
Online, channels like 7melons.ch are legally permissible as it's one of the 12 authorized internet gaming platforms in Switzerland. The Grand Casino Bern serves as the license holder for this online provider.
Despite the availability of legal providers, the Bern police also uncovered another illegal gambling operation last year. This suggests that the battle against the black market may not yet have concluded.
The news about the raid on the gambling establishment was widely covered by local media, with Bärn Today reporting that the operation was stemmed from prior investigations. Following the raid, concerns about potential violations of the Foreigners and Integration Act were also initiated by the Bern Cantonal Police.
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