Sports Betting Switzerland Best Swiss betting sites

Yes, online betting is legal in Switzerland, but international betting sites are not.

The act of betting on sports online has been legalised for the state-owned sites, but international betting sites have not been granted official permission to offer any gambling services to Swiss residents.

It's important to note that while Switzerland prohibits foreign bookmakers from offering their services in the country, individual bettors don't face criminal prosecution for their gambling activities.

Even though there is no law forbidding Swiss residents to place bets with offshore bookmakers, the government has made it more difficult to do so in recent years. Because of that, it is not uncommon for Swiss bettors to use a VPN as a workaround, but this is not necessarily something we recommend.

Moreover, payment blocking is not enforced under the Gaming Act, allowing Swiss punters to continue accessing internationally licenced sports betting sites.

Despite the laws in Switzerland, many international bookmakers allow Swiss residents to sign up, including:

• Wettigo Switzerland - Brand new bookmaker
• 22bet Switzerland - Bonuses in Swiss francs
• Bet365 Switzerland - Best overall variety
• Bahigo Switzerland - Heavy Swiss focus
• Sportaza Switzerland - Very easy to use
• Sultanbet Switzerland - Largest bonus amount
• 1Bet Switzerland - 'Build a bet' for football
• Interwetten Switzerland - Experienced and reliable bookie
• Wazamba Switzerland - Many accepted payment methods
• PlayZilla Switzerland - Balance between sports and casino
• Rabona Switzerland - Great football selection

It depends on the bookmaker.

Some betting sites have a welcome bonus in Swiss francs and allow you to deposit in that currency and play with it from then on, whereas others accept the Euro or US dollars even.

If the bookie doesn't have Swiss francs, you'll likely just have to play with Euros, which shouldn't be too much of a problem.

Here are the best betting sites that accept Swiss francs:

• Wettigo: Bonus up to CHF 500
• Bahigo: Bonus up to CHF 400 + CHF 100 in Free Bets
• 22Bet: Bonus up to CHF 122
• Sportaza: Bonus up to CHF 220
• Sultanbet: Bonus up to CHF 2,000
• PlayZilla: Bonus up to CHF 150
• Rabona: Bonus up to CHF 220
• Excitewin: Bonus up to CHF 220
• Wazamba: Bonus up to CHF 220
• Spinanga: Bonus up to CHF 220

You can use Visa or MasterCard on pretty much all online betting sites, but some also offer Skrill, Neteller, Bitcoin, PayPal, paysafecard, ecoPayz, and plenty of other options.

The most common payment methods in Switzerland are Visa and MasterCard, but PayPal is now in the mix, as well as other eWallets or even prepaid cards such as Paysafecard.

In countries with similar legislation to Switzerland, for example in Norway, the authorities have made it illegal for banks to transfer funds between private citizens and iGaming (betting sites and casinos) operators. This means that credit cards issued by the bank, or direct bank transfers are hard to use for transactions. Luckily, this is not yet the case in Switzerland as payment blocking is not allowed under the Swiss Gaming Act.

However, we would still advise you to use an electronic wallet such as Skrill and Neteller, or prepaid cards like Paysafecard and Jeton, to be on the safe side.

If the bookmaker is listed on this page, that means they hold a licence from at least one country. Since launching Bookies Bonuses in 2009, we have only ever listed betting sites we have tried and are comfortable with.

Our top 5 favourite betting sites in Switzerland are:

• Wettigo
• Bet365
• Bahigo
• Interwetten
• 20Bet

You can also check out our individual reviews of each bookmaker and see our opinion of it.

Local, state-owned betting sites often have fewer sports options, worse odds, and no welcome bonuses.

On the other hand, many international betting sites, for example big names such as bet365 and 22bet, accept players who reside in Switzerland and offer them generous sign-up bonuses.

If you decide to bet with betting sites based abroad, you will likely have more betting options, enticing bonuses and promotions, and exciting functions such as "bet builder", "cash out" and livestreaming, which make for a better playing experience overall.

Paysafecard is one of our favourite payment methods in Switzerland. Not only is it incredibly convenient, but it also provides you with a secure and private financial transactions. Here are some of the best Swiss bookmakers that accept Paysafecard payments:

• Wettigo
• Interwetten
• Bet365
• Bahigo
• Sportaza
• Sultanbet
• Playzilla
• Rabona
• ExciteWin
• Wazamba
• Spinanga
• FoggyBet
• Fezbet

A deposit bonus is exactly what it sounds like: a bonus that you receive after making your first deposit on a betting site.

Most offers of this kind in Switzerland are matched deposit bonuses, meaning you get a 100% bonus when you make your deposit.

So, if a bookmaker is promoting a deposit bonus worth 100% up to CHF400, that means that if you deposit CHF400, you will receive CHF400 and if you only deposit CHF20 you will get CHF20 as a bonus.

That bonus money is not yours to withdraw straight away, though.

The wagering requirements will indicate how many times you need to turn that money over before it becomes withdrawable as cash.

Some of the best deposit bonuses in Switzerland are:

• Wettigo: 100% up to CHF 500 on unlimited deposits
• Bet365: 100% up to EUR 100 in bet credits
• Interwetten: 100% up to EUR 200
• 22Bet: 100% up to CHF 122
• 20Bet: 100% up to EUR 1000

Nine times out of 10, free bet welcome offers are the most straightforward.

You usually just need to place a bet that meets the specified requirements (minimum odds, eligible markets, number of selections) and you will then receive a free bet upon settlement of your qualifying bet.

Normally, these bonuses are smaller in value, but still arguably better overall because of the lack of wagering requirements.

Some of the best free bet welcome offers in Switzerland are:

• Bet365: 100% up to EUR 100 in bet credits
• Bahigo: Up to CHF 100 in free bets along with the 100% up to CHF 400 bonus
• FoggyBet: EUR 25 free bet

We've mentioned wagering requirements quite a few times on this page, but if you are unsure of what they mean, pay attention.

Also known as turnover, rollover, or playthrough, wagering requirements are the total amount of money you must spend before you can withdraw your bonus.

For example, if you claim the Sportaza bonus and deposit 200 CHF you will receive 200 as bonus money.

Then you will have to play through the (deposit + bonus) amount 5 times, meaning 2000 CHF in total at minimum odds of 1.50, before you are allowed to withdraw your winnings.

But how can you bet 2000 if you only have 200 deposit + 200 bonus?

By betting, winning and betting what you won again, until the amount you have bet with your account since opening it reaches 2000.