Casinos Schweiz offer three main game types: poker, roulette and slots. Each one works differently, costs differently and suits a different player. This guide explains the rules in plain words, shows what the odds mean in francs and tells you what Swiss law says about each game. You must be 18 or older to gamble.

Swiss Casino Games Compared

Pick the row that matches how much thinking you want to do.

Where You Can Play at Casinos Schweiz

Swiss law is strict here. Casino games may only be offered by licensed casinos. This covers online play as well. Switzerland has 21 licensed land casinos, split into two types:

• Grand Casinos (concession A): can offer an unlimited number of table games and slot machines.
• Kursaal casinos (concession B): have a limited game range. Under the casino law, they may run up to three types of table games plus a limited slot offer.

Slot machines have been allowed only inside licensed casinos since 2005. Poker with stakes and winnings counts as gambling under Swiss law in all its variants. Small poker tournaments can now run outside casinos, but only with a permit.

Online, only ESBK-approved platforms may offer these games. Check the licence before you play.

Roulette: Simple Rules, Clear Math

Roulette is the easiest of the Swiss casino games to learn. A ball lands in a numbered pocket. You bet on a number, a colour or a group of numbers.

European vs American Wheel

• European roulette: 37 pockets (numbers 1 to 36 plus one zero). The house edge is 2.70%.
• American roulette: 38 pockets (a second zero). The house edge is 5.26%.

Example: you place 50 bets of CHF 10, so CHF 500 in total. On average you lose CHF 13.50 on the European wheel and CHF 26.30 on the American wheel. Same bets, double the cost.

Casino Zürich, for example, lists American roulette among its table games, so always check which wheel is at your table. Pick the single-zero wheel when you have the choice.

Slots: Fast Play, Hidden Details

Slots are the most popular game type in Swiss land casinos. Casino Zürich alone lists over 300 machines. You press a button, and a random number generator decides the result.

RTP and Volatility

• RTP (return to player) shows how much a slot pays back over a very long time. A 96% RTP means an average loss of CHF 4 per CHF 100 wagered.
• Volatility shows how the wins arrive. Low volatility gives small, frequent wins. High volatility gives rare, bigger wins.

Check the game info panel for the RTP before you play. Choose a bet size that lets you play at least 100 spins on your budget.

A tip for online players: slots usually count 100% toward bonus wagering, while table games often count much less. Read the bonus terms before you claim an offer.

Poker: The Game Where Skill Matters

In poker, you play against other players, not against the casino. The casino earns money from a fee on each hand or tournament entry. This is why better decisions can win you money over time, unlike roulette or slots.

Texas Hold’em is the most common version. Casino Zürich schedules poker cash games on weekday evenings and also runs tournaments. Check the current schedule on the casino’s site before you travel.

Beginner tips:

1. Start with low-stakes tables.
2. Play fewer hands, but play them with a clear plan.
3. Set a buy-in limit before you sit down. For example, CHF 100 per session.

Online poker in Switzerland must come from a licensed casino. Confirm which poker formats the site actually offers before you register.

Common Mistakes at Casinos Schweiz

• Picking the American wheel by accident. It doubles the house edge.
• Ignoring RTP. A low-RTP slot costs more over time.
• Joining a poker table above your budget. One bad session can erase a month’s limit.
• Chasing losses. Set a loss limit, then stop when you reach it.
• Playing on an unlicensed site. You get no Swiss legal protection.

Final Thoughts

Casinos Schweiz give you three very different options. Roulette is simple and easy to budget. Slots are fast, so set tight limits. Poker rewards skill and patience. Whatever you choose, learn the Swiss casino games before you stake real money, and use only licensed operators.

FAQs

Q1. Are casinos Schweiz legal for everyone?

Yes, for adults aged 18 and over in licensed casinos. Online, only ESBK-approved platforms may offer casino games.

Q2. Which game has the best odds?

European roulette has a 2.70% house edge. Slot odds depend on each game’s RTP. Poker odds depend on your skill and your opponents.

Q3. What is the difference between European and American roulette?

European roulette has one zero and American roulette has two. The extra zero doubles the house edge to 5.26%.

Q4. Can I play poker for money outside a casino in Switzerland?

Only small tournaments with an official permit. Other poker with stakes must run inside a licensed casino.

Q5. What does RTP mean on a slot?

It is the average share of wagers a slot returns over a very long time. A 96% RTP means CHF 96 back per CHF 100 on average.