How does player protection work in Liechtenstein?

We have reported on the booming gambling market in Liechtenstein several times in the recent past. It is no secret that the increasing number of casinos in the country of 40,000 has had a positive effect on the country's financial situation. But is player protection being neglected in the face of millions in tax revenue?

Liechtenstein is a landlocked country in the Alpine region of Central Europe and has a population of just under 40,000 on an area of only about 160 square kilometres. Despite its small size and population, Liechtenstein recently had six casinos. In addition to the local hoteliers and restaurateurs, it is of course the treasury that benefits from this development in the form of the casino tax. Already in 2021, the five active casinos ensured that the State Treasury received a total of almost 28 million francs in taxes. On top of this came another million francs in the form of a so-called supervision levy.

"Casino opponents" are in the minority in Liechtenstein  

In recent years, casinos have mushroomed in Liechtenstein. Some of the Principality's inhabitants were concerned about this development and tried to get a referendum on a "casino ban" in Liechtenstein - without success. In none of the eleven municipalities did the "opponents of gambling" achieve a majority. In total, only 27 per cent of Liechtenstein's citizens voted in favour of a "casino ban".

Tax revenues and jobs of high importance

Several new casinos have opened in Liechtenstein in recent years. This is despite the fact that the Principality has a population of just under 40,000. But the country's geographical location means that many tourists, especially from neighbouring Austria and Switzerland, come to Liechtenstein to visit the casinos. The tourists, in turn, mean that the hotel and restaurant industry also benefits financially.

So it was no surprise that in the run-up to the referendum, not only members of parliament and the government, but also several business associations spoke out against a "casino ban" in the Principality. Last summer we reported that Casino 96 in Balzers was the first casino in Liechtenstein to be threatened with closure.

How does player protection work in Liechtenstein? 

In Liechtenstein, the policy is based on comparatively liberal gambling laws. However, there are strict entry controls in the Principality. Anyone visiting a casino for the first time must not only hand over their identity card, but also sign an undertaking that they will only play with their own money. A photo of the visitor is also taken and stored.

Comparable player protection regulations to those in German online gaming arcades do not yet exist in Liechtenstein casinos. This means that no one has to accept a minimum playing time of five seconds or a maximum stake of one euro per game round. We at GambleJoe published an article about the most annoying player protection regulations in the State Treaty on Gambling some time ago.

Criticism of player protection has come from Austria, among others. It was recently discovered that many players who are banned in Austria travel to Liechtenstein to continue playing. So far there has been no exchange of banning records. In an article about two years ago, we wondered if Liechtenstein was the Las Vegas of Europe.

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