Gambling Laws in Liechtenstein

Liechtenstein may be a tiny European country with a population of just 40,000. However, the gambling industry regards the region as a minefield due to various legal and licensing issues over the years, which still affect the situation today.

Which Gambling Activities Are Legal in Liechtenstein?

The Geldspielgesetz Act made all forms of gambling legal in Liechtenstein when it was passed in 2010. However, some activities are non-existent due to legal and licensing issues.

Wagering on Offline and Online Casino Games

Both land-based and online casino gaming are legal and have been since 2010, but the situation is a little more complex. In the case of land-based casinos, operators must hold a licence. This situation caused a legal dispute with Austrian gambling company Novomatic, putting a halt to the entire licensing process for years. In 2017 the situation was finally rectified to allow casino venues to obtain a licence and operate. There are now at least six casinos in Liechtenstein, these attract many visitors from the two rich neighbouring countries of Switzerland and Austria.

Online casino gambling in Liechtenstein is in legal limbo, with the government placing a hold on the licensing process until at least the end of 2023. Since Liechtenstein is part of the EU, the country is legally required to permit companies from other nations to access its gambling market. This gives residents access to plenty of online casino slots, RNG tables and live dealer games. Because offshore operators cannot obtain a Liechtenstein gambling licence, EU law states that the country's government cannot prosecute players of these foreign sites.

Playing Real Money Poker

Poker gambling is legal and those seeking land-based entertainment can enjoy the game at any of the country's casinos. Liechtensteiners wishing to play online can do so at one of a few poker sites that accept members from the region.

Bingo Gambling

Although offline and online bingo is legal and has been since 2010, there isn't much of an appetite for the activity. Aside from some casinos which host the odd game, there are no halls or online bingo sites. That leaves the few interested residents with the option of choosing foreign platforms for their online bingo gambling entertainment.

Purchasing Lotto Tickets

Lottery gambling is permitted by law, but the online and offline situation collapsed in 2011 and still hasn't recovered. The International Lottery in Liechtenstein Foundation used to run games. This charity was responsible for launching the world's first online lottery in 1995. Profits went to various good causes in the country and abroad, but the foundation went bankrupt in September 2011.

There have been no online or offline lottery games since then. Residents can still access and play online lottery games for real money at various foreign sites though.

Social Gambling and Online Crypto Casinos

Gambling at home with friends in private residences is legal as long as commercial profits are not being made. Social casinos such as those which offer free online slots to play with 'credits and coins' are allowed too.

Cryptocurrencies are not mentioned in any of the country's laws, meaning none of the Liechtenstein casinos can accept these. Those wishing to gamble with virtual coins can do so at foreign crypto casinos without fear of prosecution.

Is Sports Betting Legal in Liechtenstein?

Surprisingly, Liechtenstein is a bit of a 'no man's land' regarding this. Even though offline and online gambling on sports has been legal since 2010, there are no known betting shops or online bookies. However, many of the big sports betting companies accept punters from Liechtenstein.

What's the Minimum Age to Gamble in Liechtenstein?

The legal gambling age is 18 years old.

Liechtenstein Gambling Tax Regulations

Even though much of the country's industry is non-operational, Liechtenstein's gambling tax regulation is still pretty well hammered out.

Operators must pay a percentage of their revenue depending on what they offer and how much they make. Casinos are required to pay 12.5%-40%, lotteries and sports betting operators are subject to 10%-20% and online gambling sites are liable for 5%-12.5%.

The tax situation for residents is much simpler and more attractive, with winnings of up to 1,000,000 CHF allowed tax-free.

History of Gambling Laws in Liechtenstein

Historically, all forms of gambling were illegal from 1949. It wasn't until 1995 that any activity was permitted, with the International Lottery in Liechtenstein Foundation only allowed because most profits were donated to charities.

The country's main laws came into effect in 2010 with the Geldspielgesetz (GSG) - the Gambling Act. This enabled companies to acquire a licence to operate. However, after Novomatic obtained its licence it raised a legal dispute, which halted the process for many years. When things finally got moving in 2017, the country saw a proliferation of new land-based casinos, of which there are currently at least 6.

Even though the country's Gambling Act states that operators of online gambling activities must obtain a licence, none have been issued to date.

Key Facts

• Casino gaming is legal in Liechtenstein and while there are several land-based casinos, there are currently no local online casinos due to licensing issues.

• Poker gambling is legal, with games run at some of the local casino venues and sites which accept residents of the country.

• Bingo gambling is legal in Liechtenstein, but no halls or local online sites exist.

• Sports betting is legal but there are no bookies shops or online operators in the country.

• Lottery gambling is legal but the country's monopoly operator, the International Lottery in Liechtenstein Foundation, went bankrupt in 2011.