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It has been reported that GESPA, the independent Gaming Regulator, which is based in Bern and oversees lotteries, sports betting, and other games of chance in Switzerland, has filed a criminal complaint against FIFA , the world governing body of association football, regarding alleged irregularities in the sale of tokens linked to ticket sales for the 2026 FIFA Men\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n
This complaint follows a preliminary investigation into the FIFA Collect platform, which uses blockchain technology to offer digital tokens tied to tournament tickets.<\/p>\n
GESPA alleges that the FIFA platform constitutes \u201cunauthorised betting services in Switzerland and is therefore illegal<\/em>\u201d on the ground that the use of these digital tokens falls within the ambit of gambling, for which a licence is required, and which FIFA\u00a0does not hold.<\/p>\n The tokens promise benefits linked to ticket purchases and exclusive experiences, which could encourage users to engage in speculative or gambling-like behaviour.<\/p>\n The complaint aims to determine whether FIFA has violated financial or gaming laws currently in force in Switzerland.<\/p>\n It appears that the FIFA Collect platform was conceived as a technological innovation designed to enhance fan engagement and not as a betting mechanism.<\/p>\n FIFA has not yet issued any formal statement in response to the complaint.<\/p>\n If the GESPA allegations are confirmed, apart from facing significant financial penalties, FIFA could also suffer reputational damage.<\/p>\n Switzerland is a pioneer in setting legal frameworks for the digital economy, which could mean that the outcome of this complaint creates a legal precedent for other jurisdictions.<\/p>\n