| erland has long been one of Europe's most popular | | | | that govern the Switzerland casino business, which are |
| tourist destinations, with the bulk of travelers coming | | | | designed to help maximize the positive effects of |
| for the breathtaking scenery and extensive ski facilities, | | | | gambling in the context of a socially responsible |
| available at resorts such as Zermatt and St. Moritz. | | | | regulation regime. Swiss casinos are required to train |
| Prior to the year 2000, casinos did not form part of the | | | | their staff in recognizing and helping those who are |
| Swiss tourist experience, but following the liberalization | | | | gambling beyond their means, and they are also |
| of the law in that year, casino operators were quick to | | | | obliged to provide information detailing the potential |
| step in, and Switzerland casinos are now increasingly | | | | risks of excessive gambling to all customers. |
| popular with both Swiss citizens and foreign visitors | | | | Customers are also required to show identification |
| alike. Indeed, it is estimated that Switzerland has the | | | | when entering casinos, but unlike many other European |
| highest ratio of casinos per head of population of any | | | | countries, there is no requirement for patrons to be |
| major nation. | | | | registered with the casino. |
| Until 1993, gambling was banned by law in Switzerland, | | | | Apart from the aforementioned Grand Hotel Lugano, |
| but this was repealed in a referendum by the Swiss | | | | which is the largest of all Switzerland casinos, there |
| people, and the first Switzerland casinos opened in | | | | are also several other large casinos in the country, |
| 2002. There are now 19 casinos in Switzerland, | | | | situated in Baden, Basel, Bern, Luzern, Montreux, and |
| categorized according to their size; however, even the | | | | St. Gallen. Thirteen smaller casinos are spread around |
| biggest Switzerland casino, located in the Grand Hotel | | | | Switzerland, including facilities in Davos, Interlaken, and |
| in Lugano, has a relatively modest 26 gaming tables | | | | St. Moritz. These casinos cater to local and |
| and around 350 slot machines, and many others are | | | | international visitors, in particular those visiting |
| significantly smaller. Most are situated in popular resorts | | | | Switzerland for winter sports, but also to the business |
| and tourist destinations, in order to take advantage of | | | | traveler. The Switzerland casino business is a relatively |
| the demand for gambling that large numbers of foreign | | | | small but growing sector of the economy, and visitors |
| visitors inevitably bring. | | | | to the country will find the facilities ultra modern and |
| In addition, there is a fairly stringent set of regulations | | | | extremely welcoming. |