http://www.casinonewsdaily.com/2017/...es-final-vote/

So it seems this would essentially be the end of online poker in Switzerland?

Is anybody able to estimate if this would come into effect immediately or if there would be a lengthy ratifying process to follow? Wouls Stars/PP respond right away or wait until ratification?

from the older article in related news:

The proposed legislation will now be discussed in the Council of States. If approved there, it will be ready for publication in the Swiss Federal Gazette. However, it is believed that the Money Gaming Act will not come into effect before 2019 or even 2020. The highly contested IP-blocking may turn into a big stumbling block that would delay the law’s implementation

Cant believe every country is so hell bent on banning online poker. Soon a platform will come along that will be beyond the grasp of the political dinosaurs holding our countries hostage from the common man.

They will look back, eye swollen from defeat, as they realize the tax dollars squandered away due to sheer incompetence.

It's just how the world is these days. Every day more and more regulations and restrictions are introduced in every aspect of our life. This is extremely tilting for me and I am highly disappointed that society does not seem to have a problem with the whole thing.

I believe the future lays in blockchain and decentralized solutions. There are already poker rooms in the works utilizing this technology. There are many technical problems to solve, but hopefully in the future these platforms will get some serious traction and take over the market allowing anyone anywhere in the world to play with each other with minimal rake just like it should be.

its strange other gambling is allowed but not online poker. I blew 2 grand past couple months on baccarat in the state run casinos but cant play a $20 sit n go legally from home.

It would indeed be a little strange if poker was the distinction, but from what I read, it isn't. You hit on what it really is in your second sentence:

As usual, lawmakers are clueless on the subject they have to decide on, so they simply don't make any difference between poker and other "gambling" games.

And yes indeed, if the law becomes exactly what is discussed at the moment, online poker will be dead in Switzerland because no land-based operator would develop a software for such a small closed market.

The only chance left is if foreign operators are allowed to deal with land-based casinos to offer their software under another brand, but even if that case was possible, probably no foreign operator would even bother to try having a license for such a small closed market, again.

Once again, casino lobbyists "bought" the law, very sad news.

ACR with their new 60 crypto currency platform. It's here

poker isn't the distinction...

The Young liberals and the green party announced that they will try to collect 50'000 signatures for a "Referendum". If they succed the whole poplulation could decide about it.
50k signatures is not too much and achievable.
This process can take easily 1 year or more. If the poplulation says no, the parliment will start over again with this new law. I do not think it will come anytime soon.

It took 4 years for this to eventuate in Au. You probably have some time.

exactly this is the problem...from your 2k they take 2k but from your 20$ sng they will take less than a buck maybe!they cant win enough and it is still beatable so they outlaw it

RIP swiss online poker.

I know that probably nobody here cares but me, but today new swiss legislation comes into full-effect and foreign gambling sites are DNS-blocked by swiss ISPs.

As I read in a PokerIndustryPro's article, only PokerStars and iPoker applied for a license, which MUST be dealt with a local land-based casino.
I don't know the cost of such a license but it's probably so expensive that only big companies can afford it, so bye bye variety and choice of rooms.

New swiss law came partially into effect in January 1st this year but there were still some tweaks to do, so they reported the DNS-blocking until July 1st (today).
As we could expect, casino and sport bets operators were ready to launch as of today with plenty games offered while poker remains in limbo because of course it probably doesn't even make the 10% of benefits of other games.

Very sad day for me, as poker is my passion :'(

Sad news.

This is whats happening when people who could vote not do so. Stupid laws take place. As you stated in another thread, you are/were one of those people . But still you are crying in some poker forum about this new law when you and all the other morons who didnt vote could have prevented this. The hypocrisy is strong in this one.

I dont see any of the new regulated/legal online gambling services to come up in the next months will have any access to international player pools.
which basically means: no more online poker.

sure enough there will be players using PS through vpns

This post is missinformed rubbish. Stars already confirmed there will be an international playerpool if the deal takes place.

The use of VPN is against stars TOS so if they catch u, ur account is probably gone and anyway your account has to be registered in a country where stars operate in order to access the games. Means: as a swiss player u need to borrow/buy an account from abroad AND play with VPN. I doubt many will do that.

in terms of missinformed rubbish:
guess what, i got the mail from stars as well! if thats all the information you have...

This article basically is basically about that mail as well...
https://www.casinonewsdaily.com/2019...-market-entry/

I know about the process of Davos, Baden and Pfäffikon first handedly. These authorized casinos already have their platforms ready.

I dont know about Luzern tbh.

Besides: The gaming authorities dont like platforms, which operated in switzerland for years without legal basis. So the casinos can surely buy/use the same software but not use the platforms itself.

in terms of VPN: you're absolutely right. Since the decision last year, many players said that they will give it a try. But in the end it will be very, very few who actually take all the hassle that comes with it.

Ok it was a bit harsh from me since the infos are a bit confusing. But in the email of stars there is a link with FAQ's in which it is clearly stated that the playerpool will be the same as before and a deal will be made. Unfortunately i cant post that link at the moment. i was pretty surprised about that and also that its even possible that they have a chance for a licence because of the reasons you mentioned. I guess time will tell. Cheers!

^

https://www.pokerstars.com/switzerland-players/

i wonder how far it has to go before the poker sites say **** it and just pull a bovada. beccause it will happen , when enough countries ban poker the sites will be forced to operate illegally .

In a slew of European countries, one with cash to freely play poker with is already behind the eight ball considering the fact that their banks over there make you PAY the them just to hold your cash for ya (negative interest rates).

Ad hominem attacks are great proof of your tolerance.
Please Keep your views on that so called "démocratic" system for yourself. Blaming people for not voting is as sterile as blaming your dad for being too talk or too short

btw pokerok works just fine.

Im blaming him for not voting and then complaining and crying about the outcome. I guess you are one of those lazy low lifes too?

I guess making crooked asumptions and judging people through the spectrum of a virtual screen makes you one of those high lifes.

It says they are now temporarily not allowed to play at Stars for real money. When they get their license, they are again allowed to play but under a new software in the same international pool.