🇱🇮For operators · Tax, marketing & compliance
Liechtenstein for operators: illegal to offer
Liechtenstein has four licensed land casinos. Online casino concessions are suspended until the end of 2028; Swisslos sells lotteries and sports bets online.
Casino tax17.5%+UpfrontCHF 5.07mLicence termNone setDecision deadlineNoneAnnual GGR141M CHFActive licensees4
Product by product
A casino licensee must be a stock company with its seat in Liechtenstein, or in another EEA state on set conditions.| Product | Status | Licensed by | Tax | Key restriction | Advertising |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Land-based casino | Licensable (land-based only) | AVW (Office of Economic Affairs) | 17.5% of GGR plus progressive levy; band 17.5% to 40% | CHF 5,000,000 paid-in share capital; at least one table per 20 slot machines; four casinos licensed | Not intrusive or misleading; the casino must be named; no advertising to under-18s or banned persons |
| Online casino | Banned | Government concession (none granted) | 5% of GGR on the books, unapplied | Government decided in December 2023 to grant none and to suspend applications until the end of 2028 | Advertising a game without the needed licence is an offence |
| Online poker | Banned | Government concession (none granted) | As for Online casino | Same suspension of online applications to the end of 2028 | As for Online casino |
| Sports betting | Limited | Swisslos under the customs treaty annex; Government organiser licence plus AVW game licence | 10% of GGR for betting under the Liechtenstein ordinance | No betting organiser licence was applied for in 2025; commercial brokering of bets is prohibited | General rule: not intrusive or misleading |
| Lottery | Limited | As for Sports betting | 20% of GGR for large lottery organisers | Large lotteries run through Swisslos; commercial brokering of stakes is prohibited | General rule: not intrusive or misleading |
Decided14 Dec 2023Government decision, release of 14 December 2023
Can I get an online gambling licence in Liechtenstein?
Not now. The Act provides for a Government concession for online casino, poker, betting and lottery, but none has been granted. In December 2023 the Government decided to grant none and to suspend applications until the end of 2028. As of 7 November 2026 four land casinos are licensed and none offers online play. The 5% online levy rate is on the books but unapplied.
Government release of 14 December 2023 ↗Office of Economic Affairs: online gambling ↗
Regulator and player protection in Liechtenstein
Regulator
Application authority and enforcement body
Self-exclusion scheme
Spielsperre
How players exclude themselves; what it covers is in the player guide
Mandatory RG controls
No limit imposed on players
Deposit limits or reality checks the law requires operators to offer
Which casinos & betting sites are licensed in Liechtenstein?
See the full official list of licensed operators and their authorised domains.
Heads-up for operators
2 items · last change 7 Nov 2026
Pending (not law): the Government adopted a consultation report amending the Geldspielgesetz on 2 June 2026, to implement the Council of Europe convention on the manipulation of sports competitions; the consultation closed on 28 August 2026 and no bill is before the Landtag (as of 7 November 2026). The temporary stop on new casino licences ended on 31 December 2025 and was not extended; applications for online concessions stay suspended to the end of 2028.
GSG amendment in consultation (Magglingen Convention)
Consultation closed on 28 August 2026; no bill before the Landtag (as of 7 November 2026).
Source: 1
Not yet in force: drafts, laws adopted without a start date, and sections of the law still to be commenced. An item moves to the timeline below on the day it takes effect.
Getting licensed: no online licence route
Why there is no online licence, and what exists instead, are in the licence guide
No private operator can be licensed online. The legal basis, what the law allows instead and what an operator or supplier can do are set out there.Read the licence guide
Gambling tax and fees in Liechtenstein
Detail
Casinos pay the Geldspielabgabe on gross gaming revenue: 17.5% on all of it plus a marginal levy on the part above CHF 1 million, which starts at 5.50%, rises by 5.50 points for each further started million and is 22.5% above CHF 6 million (SPBV Art. 125), within the statutory band of 17.5% to 40% (GSG Art. 73(2)(a)). They also pay a supervision levy of 2% of GGR, at least CHF 50,000 and at most CHF 300,000 (GSG Art. 85), and one-off licence fees (Art. 86).
Which foreign licences Liechtenstein accepts
Liechtenstein recognises none of these 8 foreign licences.
Not recognisedMalta (MGA) · United Kingdom (UKGC) · Gibraltar (GRA) · Isle of Man (GSC) · Curaçao · Kahnawake (KGC) · Anjouan (AGB) · Alderney (AGCC)
Not recognised; Liechtenstein law has no power to block sites or payments.
Bonus rules: welcome bonuses banned
Bonuses bannedInducement ads: Banned
Due to the current moratorium on online gambling licenses, Liechtenstein has not developed a specific regulatory framework for online bonuses or promotions. The existing Gambling Act (Geldspielgesetz) provides general principles for advertising that would likely apply if the market were to open.
What the player can claim
- Welcome bonus
- Banned
- VIP schemes
- Banned
- Loyalty schemes
- Banned
- Cashback
- Banned
As no online casinos are licensed to operate in Liechtenstein, there are no specific regulations governing what players can claim in an online context.
What the operator can advertise
- Messages ads may not give
- suggesting that gambling can solve financial problems
- promoting excessive play
- Penalties
Penalties for non-compliance with the Gambling Act can include fines and imprisonment, though specific amounts for bonus-ad violations are not detailed.
Potential penalties include license revocation and asset forfeiture.
General advertising principles are outlined in the Gambling Act, requiring socially responsible marketing. However, with no licensed online market, these are not applied to online bonuses in practice.
Advertising: limited
Liechtenstein sets no channel-by-channel rules for gambling advertising. Licensed operators may advertise, but not in an intrusive or misleading way, and must be named in their advertising (GSG Art. 33(1)); the Spielbankenverordnung defines intrusive and misleading advertising and bans advertising to under-18s and banned persons (SPBV Art. 62a). Art. 33 also binds online games and lottery and betting organisers (GSG Art. 55(1)(l), 59(1)(g), 65(1)). Promoting or advertising a game that lacks the needed licence is an offence, punishable with up to one year's imprisonment (Art. 88(1)(a)). No online concession has been granted, and the Government decided in December 2023 to suspend online applications until the end of 2028 (as of 7 November 2026). The rows below say what the law states; each platform also applies its own gambling policy.
| Channel | Status | Vertical & Platform Split (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Google Search Ads | Restricted | No rule names search advertising. A licensed casino's online advertising may not be intrusive or misleading (GSG Art. 33(1); SPBV Art. 62a), and personally addressed electronic advertising needs an opt-out (SPBV Art. 62a(2)(c)). Advertising an online casino, poker or betting offer without a concession is an offence (GSG Art. 88(1)(a)), and none has been granted (as of 7 November 2026).45 |
| App Store Publishing | Restricted | Online games need a Government concession (GSG Art. 60); none has been granted, and applications are suspended until the end of 2028 (Government decision announced 14 December 2023). No rule names app stores.46 |
| Google/Apple App Store Ads | Restricted | No rule names app-store advertising; the general rules apply: no intrusive or misleading advertising, the operator named (GSG Art. 33(1); SPBV Art. 62a), and no advertising for a game without the needed licence (GSG Art. 88(1)(a)).45 |
| Meta (FB/IG) | Restricted | No instrument bans social-media advertising or sets rules specific to it. Advertising may not be intrusive or misleading (GSG Art. 33(1)), personally addressed electronic advertising needs an opt-out (SPBV Art. 62a(2)(c)), and advertising may not be directed at under-18s or banned persons (SPBV Art. 62a(5)).45 |
| TV & Radio | Restricted | The gambling instruments contain no ban or restriction specific to television or radio: casino advertising may not be intrusive or misleading and must name the casino (GSG Art. 33(1); SPBV Art. 62a). No hours or watershed are set.45 |
| Sponsorships | Restricted | No provision of the gambling instruments addresses sports sponsorship, logos on sports kit or advertising inside stadiums; the general advertising rules apply (GSG Art. 33(1); SPBV Art. 62a).45 |
| Digital OOH | Restricted | Advertising in residential premises or their immediate surroundings, in public transport, and at promotional events combined with an excursion counts as intrusive and is banned (SPBV Art. 62a(2)(b); GSG Art. 33(1)). No other outdoor rule appears in the gambling instruments.45 |
Channel rules for Liechtenstein reflect each platform's published policy and the sources numbered in each row (listed under Methodology & sources). Verify with the local regulator and your ad-platform account manager before launching.
How Liechtenstein enforces against unlicensed operators
The AVW supervises the four casinos and can order measures to restore the lawful state (GSG Art. 84). Liechtenstein law gives no power to block websites or payments, and the AVW publishes no blacklist. Offering a game without the licence it needs is an offence (up to one year or 360 daily rates, Art. 88); administrative fines reach CHF 250,000 (Art. 89).
- AVW annual report 2025: one report of suspected illegal gambling; none in 2023 or 2024.
- Fine ceiling raised to CHF 250,000 from 1 January 2026 (LGBl. 2025 Nr. 384).
Enforcement cases in Liechtenstein: 4 recent
Material regulator actions, court rulings, and high-profile fines from 2016–2026 against operators serving Liechtenstein. Each entry includes the technical failure and a one-line read-across for other operators in the market.
- January 2025
All licensed casino operators
RGCross-border player ban implementedThe agreement between Liechtenstein and Switzerland on the exchange of data on banned players (LGBl. 2024 Nr. 406) entered into force on 7 January 2025.
Read-across: This significantly increases the compliance burden on operators. It requires them to integrate with a cross-border database and enforce exclusions for players banned in Switzerland, which affects their customer base.
- December 2023
Government of Liechtenstein
LicensingMoratorium extendedThe Government decided to grant no online concessions and to suspend the processing of online applications until the end of 2028 (release of 14 December 2023).
Read-across: This extension solidifies the prohibition of online gambling operations within Liechtenstein. It forces operators to wait several more years for potential market entry and directs all current gambling revenue to land-based venues.
- January 2023
Land-based casino sector
LicensingCasino ban rejectedA public referendum to ban all casinos was defeated with 73% of voters opposing the measure.
Read-across: The result provided regulatory certainty and secured the operational future for existing land-based casinos. It reaffirmed their social license to operate despite public debate.
- December 2022
Government of Liechtenstein
LicensingTemporary stop on new casino licencesA statutory licensing stop (Gesetz vom 4. November 2022, LGBl. 2022 Nr. 397) barred new casino licences from 21 December 2022 to 31 December 2025 and rejected new applications.
Read-across: The stop ended on 31 December 2025 and was not extended; four casinos hold a licence as of 7 November 2026.
Market size: 0.1408B CHF (2024)
Gross gaming revenue in Liechtenstein is approximately 141 million CHF annually. The most popular form of gambling is Casino. Online gambling represents 0% of total GGR. A culturally distinctive product in this market is Land-based casinos ('Las Vegas of the Alps'), Poker.
Market breakdown by vertical
- Land-based0.1408B CHF100.0%
Figures are for the licensed land-based casino sector only; online gambling is prohibited under a government moratorium until at least 2028.
GGR figure9
Licensed operators: 4
As of 10 Nov 2026, approximately 4 operators hold an active licence in Liechtenstein. Size your entry against this base before committing capital. Check them yourself on the official AVW register, which lists each licensee and its authorised domains.
Notable licensed operators
Club Admiral Aktiengesellschaft
Grand Casino LI AG
Alpin Royal AG
Traps operators hit in Liechtenstein
Specific operational risks that have caught new entrants in this market. Each item is country-specific. Generic gambling-ops issues (KYC, RG tools) are not included unless they have a local twist.
Online concessions are suspended
The Act provides online concessions (GSG Art. 60), but the Government grants none and has suspended applications until the end of 2028. Offering online games without a concession is an offence (Art. 88).
Bans are shared with Switzerland
A casino must notify each ban to all other casinos without delay and treat notified bans as its own (GSG Art. 22(4); SPBV Art. 58(4)); bans are exchanged with Swiss operators under the agreement in force since 7 January 2025.
Capital and own funds
A casino company needs CHF 5,000,000 paid-up share capital, and its equity must be at least 30% of the balance sheet or 20% of GGR (GSG Art. 9b).
Sources7
Timeline: rules in force
- December 31, 2025
Casino licensing stop ends
The stop of LGBl. 2022 Nr. 397 lapsed and was not extended (AVW annual report 2025).
Source: 13
- January 7, 2025
Ban-data exchange with Switzerland in force
Gambling bans are exchanged between Liechtenstein and Swiss operators (LGBl. 2024 Nr. 406).
Source: 12
- December 14, 2023
Online concession applications suspended to end-2028
The Government grants no online concessions and has suspended applications until the end of 2028.
Source: 10
- December 21, 2022
Temporary stop on new casino licences
LGBl. 2022 Nr. 397 barred new casino licences until 31 December 2025.
Source: 13
- 2010
Geldspielgesetz (GSG) enacted
The Gambling Act of 30 June 2010 (LGBl. 2010 Nr. 235), in force 1 January 2011.
Source: 7
Operator myths vs reality in Liechtenstein
Common assumptions about gambling licensing that turn out to be wrong in practice.
- MythLiechtenstein's Money Gaming Act allows for online licensing, so we can apply.
- MythA European (e.g., MGA) licence allows us to serve the Liechtenstein market legally.Reality
No foreign licence is recognised: an online game needs a Government concession (GSG Art. 60), and offering one without it is an offence (Art. 88).
Sources7
- MythLiechtenstein still bars new casino licences.
Markets that work like Liechtenstein
Compared on what our records hold for each country: whether online casino, betting, poker and lottery are licensed, state-run or banned, the licensing model, what the operator tax is levied on and its band, how most advertising channels are treated, and how foreign licences are treated. A point we hold for only one of the two countries counts for nothing.
- AzerbaijanChecked
Online casino and poker banned; betting and lottery limited; licensed market; most ad channels restricted.
- LuxembourgChecked
Online casino and poker banned; betting and lottery limited; most ad channels restricted; foreign licences mostly not recognised.
- MacaoCheckedJapanChecked
Online casino and poker banned; betting limited; licensed market; most ad channels restricted.
- IcelandChecked
Online casino and poker banned; betting limited; most ad channels restricted; foreign licences mostly not recognised.
Methodology & sources
Our Deep AI Scan took Liechtenstein through all 201 questions of our regulatory checklist, from 58 official documents, read on 7 Nov 2026. Our research team then traced every figure on this page to the document and sentence that states it. The full research report is due to go to our compliance team. Where a fact rests on a press report or a law-firm summary rather than an official document, the page says so.
Documents cited on this page
- 1Government release of 9 June 2026: Magglingen Convention, GSG amendment
- 2Gambling Act (Geldspielgesetz)
- 3Frick Legal
- 4Geldspielgesetz (GSG), LGBl. 2010 Nr. 235 (Fassung 01.01.2026)
- 5Spielbankenverordnung (SPBV), LGBl. 2010 Nr. 439 (Fassung 01.06.2026)
- 6Government release of 14 December 2023: Moratorium für Online-Geldspiele wird verlängert
- 7Geldspielgesetz (GSG), LGBl. 2010 Nr. 235, consolidated 1 January 2026
- 8AVW Geldspielaufsicht: annual report 2025
- 9AVW: Tätigkeitsbericht 2024 Geldspielaufsicht (casino BSE 2024: CHF 140.8 million)
- 10Government release of 14 December 2023: online moratorium extended
- 11Spielbankenverordnung (SPBV), consolidated 1 June 2026
- 12Agreement with Switzerland on banned players, LGBl. 2024 Nr. 406
- 13LGBl. 2022 Nr. 397: casino licensing stop to 31 December 2025
The 10 documents this page relies on most
- Geldspielgesetz (GSG), LGBl. 2010 Nr. 235, LR 935.51, Fassung 01.01.2026Law
- Spielbankenverordnung (SPBV), LGBl. 2010 Nr. 439, LR 935.511.1, Fassung 01.06.2026Law
- Verordnung ueber Online-Geldspiele (OGV), LGBl. 2011 Nr. 221, LR 935.511.4, Fassung 01.01.2024Law
- Taetigkeitsbericht 2025 Geldspielaufsicht AVWRegulator
- Verordnung ueber die Lotterien und Wetten (LWV), LGBl. 2010 Nr. 440, LR 935.511.2, Fassung 01.01.2024Law
- AVW Gambling register page (Geldspielregister), last updated 26.02.2026Regulator
- AVW Verzeichnis der Zertifizierungsstellen fuer Spielbanken (list dated 03.08.2026)Regulator
- Steuergesetz (SteG), LGBl. 2010 Nr. 340, LR 640.0 (Fassung 01.07.2026)Law
- Sorgfaltspflichtgesetz (SPG), LGBl. 2009 Nr. 47, LR 952.1, Fassung 01.02.2025Law
- Verordnung ueber die Erhebung von Aufsichtsabgaben und Gebuehren nach dem GSG (GSG-AGV), LGBl. 2016 Nr. 309, LR 935.511.5, Fassung 01.01.2024Law
Also cited on this page
58 documents in all. Request the full research report for every source, answer by answer.
Looking for the player guide?
For consumer-facing information about gambling in Liechtenstein (tax on winnings, where to play legally, self-exclusion options), see the Liechtenstein player guide.
Disclaimer. This page reflects the law as we understood it on 10 Nov 2026. Rules change: always check the current position with Office of Economic Affairs (Amt für Volkswirtschaft, AVW). We are not a legal adviser.