Switzerland has long been one of Europe’s most popular tourist destinations, with the bulk of travelers coming for the breathtaking scenery and extensive ski facilities, available at resorts such as Zermatt and St. Moritz. Prior to the year 2000, casinos did not form part of the Swiss tourist experience, but following the liberalization of the law in that year, casino hawkplay operators were quick to step in, and Switzerland casinos are now increasingly popular with both Swiss citizens and foreign visitors alike. Indeed, it is estimated that Switzerland has the highest ratio of casinos per head of population of any major nation.
Until 1993, gambling was banned by law in Switzerland, but this was repealed in a referendum by the Swiss people, and the first Switzerland casinos opened in 2002. There are now 19 casinos in Switzerland, categorized according to their size; however, even the biggest Switzerland casino, located in the Grand Hotel in Lugano, has a relatively modest 26 gaming tables and around 350 slot machines, and many others are significantly smaller. Most are situated in popular resorts and tourist destinations, in order to take advantage of the demand for…
