|
 |
Gambling in Switzerland |
| |
Gambling in Switzerland has changed significantly since the 1920's when the laws prohibited most gambling and huge casino resorts were unknown. But that all changed in 2000. In April, 2000, a new law became effective that allowed casino gambling to include unlimited stakes for the first time. Controlled by a newly established federal agency, casinos can now be run with this new concession. Each casino that obtains permission to provide gambling under this law must have a social concept that provides measure to help people who may be dealing with gambling problems. Casinos have a fully-trained staff and evaluations by an independent advisory board. In 2001, the first casino concessions were granted based on each casino's application.
This all created a new situation in Switzerland. To reduce the potential harm of gambling to the overall society, the casinos had to meet stringent requirements which are unique to those standards of the USA. After everything was in order, the casinos opened their doors for business.
Prior to casinos meeting the requirements and not that long ago, there were slot machines in some small casinos, bars and restaurants as well as in amusement arcades, but the luxury casino resorts that are so famous elsewhere were simply unavailable. During these times, you had to travel to France, Italy, Austria or Germany, crossing the borders into these countries to gamble freely.
Now, with gambling on the home front, Swiss casinos can move forward. Gambling in Switzerland is broken down into two types of gaming: those casino games which require skill such as poker and some machine games, and those games that are based solely on chance and cannot be influenced by the player's skills, such as the average slot machine. Games of chance remain restricted to special resorts such as casinos and amusement arcades. Taxation of casinos is done on a sliding scale with the grand casinos being considered Type A and paying less taxes while smaller casinos that fall into what is considered Type B experience a higher tax rate.
Internet gambling and any form of gambling that involves telecommunications is strictly banned in Switzerland. With world-wide changes in the internet gaming industry, this may eventually change.
If you want to vacation in a gorgeous country and enjoy fine gambling casino resorts with unlimited stakes, you can now go to Switzerland and enjoy these fine casinos: Casino Bad Ragaz in Sankt Gallen is one example of a wonderful casino hotel. You arrive in Zurich, and drive 80 kilometers to this fine resort. Grand Casino Baden is another fine destination for a holiday. Grand Casino Basel, Casino di Locarno, Casino Lugano, Casino Luzern, Grand Casino St. Gallen and Casino St. Moritz, plus several other huge casinos scatter across the beautiful Swiss landscape. No matter what part of Switzerland you wish to visit, you'll find gaming fun readily available. You'll enjoy staying at some of the finer hotels and you will treasure your visits to the casino resorts that host a full range of services for their guest including entertainment other than gaming, fine dining and much more.
While many gamblers may not choose Switzerland as their number one casino destination yet, things could eventually move in that direction. Even though Switzerland has been one of the last thriving areas to jump on the casino revolution, they will likely stay on it for sometime. And in Switzerland, with such beautiful surroundings, you are bound to be luckier than ever before! |
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
