Lotteries are among the favorite types of entertainment even for those people who don’t like gambling and not interested in casino games. According to the news about the lottery industry, it has gone through the transformation process during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Jean-Luc Moner-Banet, CEO at Loterie Romande, has explained what the sector needs nowadays, and how it is regulated in Switzerland.
In your opinion, what transformation does the lottery industry need in the upcoming years? Why?
In my opinion, the lottery industry must actively pursue its digitalization process, develop new games that are mainly multi-jurisdictional and offer new ways to play, and, above all, that all this be done with respect for vulnerable people and from a responsible gaming perspective.
Do you agree with the statement that the lottery is the most harmless sector of the gambling industry? As, usually, problem gambling is more related to casinos.
I do not think it is appropriate to pit the casino industry against the lottery and sports betting industry. All branches of the gambling market can, if they wish, and do what is necessary, be responsible while protecting the vulnerable and be commercially successful.
Lottery is closely connected with good causes in many countries throughout the world. What is the main reason for this?
The main reason for the link between the lottery market and good causes and public utility throughout the world is linked first of all to historical reasons. Some European lotteries with hundreds of years of experience, such as in Portugal, Spain, or Belgium, were created from the beginning to satisfy good causes, especially social ones. On the other hand, in a more modern way, the monopoly or quasi-monopoly situations of certain lotteries, which are imposed by the need to channel the gambling activity, necessarily imply that the profits of these companies are destined for public utility.
Let’s consider gambling regulations in Switzerland. How is the lottery market regulated? What regulatory peculiarities does it have?
The Swiss gambling market is fully regulated under the aegis of the Federal Gaming Act and supervised by two regulators, CFMJ and Gespa. The Federal Gaming Act allows the operators to offer interesting development possibilities, including digital ones, to the players to be entertained in an attractive way and strictly supervises the protection of minors and vulnerable persons against addiction.
The Federal Gaming Board (CFMJ) is the supervisory authority for casinos. It ensures compliance with the legal provisions, in particular with the requirements for safe and transparent gaming operations and with the due diligence requirements regarding money laundering and the financing of terrorism.
Gespa is the supervisory authority for lotteries. Its task is to ensure that the Swiss population can play lottery games, sports betting, and skill-based games in a safe and socially responsible manner.
What about the demand for lottery products in Switzerland? Is this sector among Swiss players’ top picks in terms of gambling?
Lottery and sports betting games are very successful throughout Switzerland, operated by Swisslos and Loterie Romande. The most successful games recently are sports betting, but more traditionally scratch tickets, the Swiss Lotto and EuroMillions.
Which type of lotteries is more popular in the country – land-based or online?
The digital sector has grown considerably in the last few years, especially as a result of the COVID-19 crisis, which led to the closure of cafes and restaurants for many weeks. Today, the online part of the market represents 15-20% of the total lottery and sports betting market.
Are there any challenges in lottery marketing? Are there any don’ts that restrict lottery operators significantly?
The challenges facing Swiss lotteries are essentially the increasing digitalization as well as the imperative need to be both ever more attractive and ever more responsible and protective of the vulnerable at the same time.
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