Switzerland questions commission model for retail lottery vendors
A parliamentary initiative set to be debated Tuesday in Switzerland’s National Council aims to eliminate the commission-based pay structure for kiosk owners and other retailers selling lottery and betting products — a system critics say creates a dangerous conflict of interest.
In 2024 alone, the Loterie Romande, the company that operates and manages lottery games and sports betting across all six French-speaking cantons of Switzerland, paid out CHF 79.4 million in commissions to its 2,400 retail partners. These vendors — typically small kiosks, convenience stores, or bars — currently receive a 5% commission based on turnover from products such as EuroMillions, Sporttip, and electronic lottery terminals like Tactilo.
Conflict of interest?
The problem, according to Socialist Party MP Jessica Jaccoud (VD), lies in the dual role these vendors must play: on one hand, they are incentivised to promote gambling in order to increase their income; on the other, they are legally required to implement social safeguards and detect problematic gambling behaviour.
“We have on one side an extremely strong financial incentive that increases with the amount of bets placed, and on the other, an obligation to identify at-risk players and restrict their access to gambling,” Jaccoud said in , titled “Protection of at-risk players and remuneration of third parties: end the conflict of interest.”
Jaccoud’s proposal would prohibit commission models linked to turnover or gross gaming revenue. Instead, she advocates for a flat-rate remuneration model that would sever the link between profit and problem gambling.
The initiative is backed by MPs from the Greens and the Centre, as well as the GREA (Groupement romand d’études des addictions) and the Coalition for the Protection of 바카라ers. The coalition argues that under the current model, rule-abiding vendors are penalised while those willing to push gambling hard — or even sell to minors — earn more.
“Retailers find themselves torn between the prospect of higher revenue and their legal responsibility to implement protection measures — which, by definition, would reduce their commission,” Jaccoud explained.
Opposition to the reform
The proposal faces stiff opposition. The Science, Education and Culture Committee (CSEC) of the National Council has already recommended rejecting the initiative. In its statement, the committee acknowledged the concerns but said it prefers to wait for the outcome of the ongoing federal evaluation of the gambling law.
Opponents argue that such a reform would weaken the Swiss gambling model, reported La Tribune de Genève. GastroSuisse and Swiss Retail warned that removing commission incentives could force small kiosks to stop offering lottery products or even close due to reduced foot traffic. Loterie Romande and Swisslos added that a change could significantly reduce funds for public interest projects — in areas such as culture, environment, and sport — and even undermine funding for player protection itself.
In response, Jaccoud was blunt: “It seems everyone is defending their slice of the pie. The big losers in this debate are the excessive gamblers.” According to the Swiss Health Survey, the percentage of problematic gamblers increased from 3.1% in 2017 to 4.3% in 2022, an estimated 308,000 people, who generate about a third of total gambling revenue, she argued.
