Swiss regulator files criminal complaint over FIFA Collect gambling

Switzerland's gambling regulator has filed a criminal complaint against FIFA over the soccer body's blockchain collectibles platform, saying its sales and competitions tied to World Cup ticket rights amount to unlicensed gambling. Gespa, the Swiss Gambling Supervisory Authority, announced the complaint on Friday after a preliminary probe into the platform's offerings, which include so called Right to Buy tokens and other collectible draws linked to tickets for the 2026 World Cup.

Gespa said its October review found participation in certain competitions on the FIFA Collect platform requires a monetary stake and that prizes are awarded through random draws or similar procedures. "Participation in the competitions is only possible in exchange for a monetary stake, with monetary benefits to be won," the regulator said, adding that "from a gambling law perspective, the offers in question are partly lotteries and partly sports betting." Under Swiss law Gespa must notify prosecuting authorities if it identifies potential violations of the federal gambling act; the regulator said final criminal assessment is the responsibility of law enforcement.

FIFA Collect has sold several types of...