The inclusion of health concerns in Swiss gambling legislation: an opportunity to access industry data

Abstract

Swiss gambling legislation is unique in the fact that it includes health concerns and obligations for gambling operators. Specifically, they are required to provide social measures for the prevention of problem gambling and to collaborate with prevention centres. These provisions are crucial for the development of problem gambling prevention and training programmes. Further, they open important research avenues to make use of data collected within the industry. The present article provides an insight into these specific aspects of Swiss gambling legislation. It also illustrates recent examples of research that has been conducted on the basis of these legal provisions and considers their results.

Keywords:

• Switzerland
• gambling legislation
• public health
• prevention
• self-exclusion

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Cheryl Dickson for English revision of the manuscript.