Population: 39.000
Active players: 5.500
Currency: Swiss Franc (CHF)
Regulated gambling products: Sports betting, casino games, lottery
Operator types: Unlicensed online bookmakers, licensed land-based & online casinos
Designated authority: Office of Economic Affairs
Status: Regulated
Liechtenstein is an alpine country and the smallest nation to ever win a medal in winter or summer Olympics, when Hanni Wenzel got bronze in skiing at the 1976 games. Gambling in the country has been regulated since 2011, having experienced a very long ban from 1949 until 2011.
The only legal form of gambling before that, was the International Lottery in Liechtenstein Foundation (ILLF), the oldest online lottery in Europe, running since 1995, which eventually filed for bankruptcy.
Despite having a legal framework for betting, no betting licenses have been issued. The state holds a very lenient stance towards players and operators. Therefore, local punters are not missing out on the opportunity to place their bets on any international bookie they prefer, such as Bet365.
Best Sports Betting Sites in Liechtenstein
Since the vast majority of bookmakers are available in Liechtenstein, we list the ones that deliver a 95%+ overall payout and a localised interface.
Betting in Liechtenstein - 5 Things to Know
- 1 Legal minimum gambling age in Liechtenstein is 18
- 2 No bookmaker holds a license
- 3 Along with Malta, Austria and UK, Liechtenstein applies strict AMLD directives
- 4 The state keeps records of problematic gamblers and doesn't allow them to bet
- 5 Online gambling has been regulated since 2011
Online Gambling in Liechtenstein: The Legal Framework
It is no exaggeration to argue that Liechtenstein is a country that has experienced major ups and downs regarding its gambling environment. The fact that all forms of gambling (except for lottery) were banned in 1949, up until 2011, and since then have been fully regulated, can easily back that argument up.
On June 30th 2010 the government passed a gambling law (Geldspielgesetz), yet practically came into force -and still is- at the beginning of 2011. The online sector was addressed a little later on, with the regulation on online money games, on May 31, 2011.
In 2016, an initial concession system that was already in force, was replaced by a more detailed licensing system; with the Office of Economic Affairs (operating under the Ministry of Infrastructure, Economic Affairs and Sport) being responsible for the process.
Notably, however, since November 2019 the government has decided to suspend the application process of online gaming licensing up until the end of 2023. The tax rate for online money games will stand at 5% on licensed bookmakers’ GGR, being much more lenient when compared to the 12.5% flat corporate tax that applies in other sectors of the country’s economy.
Essential Information for Liechtensteiner Bettors
Here are a few things to keep in mind when betting in Liechtenstein. Most important, your winnings shall not be taxed at all. Tax on winnings is very generally mentioned in the country’s tax law; however, it could only apply when and if any bookmaker acquires the appropriate license.
Also, the government applies absolutely no measures against players who opt for international bookmakers. Simply pick any bookie that accepts Liechtensteiner punters, without worrying about restrictions from local ISPs.
Reputable Bookmakers in Liechtenstein
Punters in Liechtenstein are practically able to place their bets on any bookmaker. So, we present to you the three most popular ones.
1xBet Liechtenstein
1xBet comes with a 97% payout on top leagues. Plus, you can find around 200 betting markets and at the same time enjoy fast withdrawals and extra features like cash out. The Swiss football league is fully covered and of course you can bet using the CHF currency.
22Bet Liechtenstein
22Bet offers 1000+ events on a daily basis on 48+ sports and stands out with a 95% payout on football and tennis. It also provides bettors with a wide range of payment methods, including e-wallets, such as Skrill and Neteller.
Bet365 Liechtenstein
With tons of betting markets available and a great welcome bonus, Bet365 Liechtenstein is another great choice for you. It offers a 97%+ payout on football and 100+ markets on the top 5 European leagues. It also comes with deposit methods like Skrill, Neteller and Paysafecard.
How to Deposit at Online Bookies
Under the existing relaxed framework, traditional payment methods are the most common. So locals use bank transfer, credit/debit cards and in some cases, e-wallets, like Skrill and Neteller.
Liechtenstein is a country where you don’t need to worry about how you’re gonna deposit your money or withdraw your winnings, since there is no need to conceal any transactions or bother keeping your anonymity from the tax services. Lastly, do not worry about currency conversion fees either, since most bookmakers accept CHF (Swiss Franc) deposits.
The Future of Online Betting in Liechtenstein
The Liechtenstein online gambling environment is very welcoming for local bettors and international operators, who face no restrictions or measures whatsoever. Issuing licenses though is another thing and the process is suspended until the end of 2023, although no international bookmaker has yet applied for one anyway.
The market in Liechtenstein is very small and offshore bookies haven’t been eager to get licensed and therefore get taxed, especially when they are absolutely free to offer their services to local punters. As it stands, we have to wait and see how the state is gonna approach online betting after the end of the licensing suspension period.
The Complete List of Liechtensteiner Bookmakers
No tax applies to your winnings when you bet on sportsbooks. A tax on winnings could only apply if you bet on licensed operators in the future, when and if there will be any.
The local legal framework leaves no questions around online betting which is legal. In terms of players’ safety, with no local shady bookmakers, you can opt for any internationally renowned bookie and place your bets free of worry.
The Office of Economic Affairs, operating under the Ministry of Infrastructure, Economic Affairs and Sport is the country’s gambling governing body. It oversees and regulates gambling and is responsible for issuing licenses too.
Bet365 is one of the major international bookies that accept punters from Liechtenstein. Moreover, it comes in German and allows CHF transactions, offering players a fully localised experience; along with a great range of markets and a quick & easy to use mobile app
The legal framework in Liechtenstein allows you to place your bets on any bookmaker with no restrictions or measures against it. Simply pick the one that best suits your needs and bet on without worrying about any fines.