Swiss council decries use of national symbols on gambling websites

In a similar communication as that sent out in June last year, the Swiss Federal Council’s State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) has issued a warning against websites onlinecasinoschweiz24.ch, casino-zuerich.com and swisscasinoonline.eu clarifying that despite the impression the operators have created through the use of the Swiss flag, coat of arms and numerous other references, they are not connected to Switzerland and the services they offer remain illegal under Swiss law.

onlinecasinoschweiz24.ch is reportedly operated by bwin and casino-zuerich.com is registered to Virtual Casino Service Inc under a Belize licence.

SECO reiterated that online gambling games offered on the websites have never been approved by the Swiss Federal Gaming Board.

The use of the “Swiss” content is in SECO’s opinion violations of both the Federal Act against Unfair Competition and the Federal Act on the Protection of the Swiss Coat of Arms.

Last year’s warning was targeted at scasino.com another bwin website.