The deal marks Relax Gaming’s 23rd market entry as Swiss players can expect to gain access to the studio’s roster of slot releases via Grand Casino Luzern’s online offering, mycasino. 

Martin Stålros, CEO of Relax Gaming, stated: “Our continued growth across the globe is something we are all incredibly proud of. The Swiss market presents many interesting opportunities and I believe we have the right content to appeal to the passionate audience.”

To finalise its entry into Switzerland, the slot developer was challenged with securing approval from the European nation’s Federal Gaming Board, with the Grand Casino Luzern deal signalling successful certification. 

Alexia Smilovic Rønde, Chief Regulatory Officer at Relax Gaming, commented: “Entering the Swiss market through our prime partnership with Grand Casino Luzern marks another significant step in expanding our presence in high-profile regulated markets.

“Switzerland is truly a staple of European jurisdictions and is known for its high regulatory standards, which we are pleased to have successfully met. We will be looking forward expanding our presence in the coming months.”

Following the partnership, Switzerland-based online casino players with access to mycasino will be able to spin the reels on established Relax Gaming slots such as Banana Town, Money Train and Wild Chapo. 

“The partnership with Relax Gaming marks an important step for mycasino,” added Wolfgang Bliem, CEO at Grand Casino Luzern.

“Their innovative approach and diverse game portfolio perfectly align with our commitment to maintaining our leadership in the market. We’re thrilled to be the first online casino in the Swiss market to partner with Relax Gaming and continue providing top-tier entertainment to our players.”

One slot release that could be set to debut in Switzerland through this deal is Ancient Tumble. Anders Lokrantz, Head of Studio, and Kunal PatelSmith, Game Production Director, recently described to CasinoBeats how this release will “meet high expectations”. 

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Building off a recently announced partnership with Stakelogic Live, Grand Casino Luzern’s online casino, mycasino, will feature a fully branded seven-seat blackjack game which leverages the supplier’s Chroma Key Studio.

The studio utilises green-screen technology to allow operators to showcase their branding on their tables, with games being streamed directly from the Netherlands using high-quality and advanced broadcasting methods and technology. 

“Live casino is an extremely popular attraction among Swiss players and in an increasingly competitive landscape, it is important to be able to stand out from the competition,” noted Wolfgang Bliem, CEO of Grand Casino Luzern.

“This integration with Chroma Key allows us to achieve this. It also continues to build on the strong relationship we already have established between our brand and our players.”

Grand Casino Luzern and Stakelogic Live kicked off their partnership in June, with the operator integrating the supplier’s live casino games suite onto mycasino.

Through the agreement, titles that are available to the online casino’s players include Speed Baccarat, Super Stake Blackjack and Spin to Win. 

Neil Tanti, Senior Sales Manager at Stakelogic, added: “Chroma Key Studio has been one of our most successful innovations since its launch in 2023. We are thrilled to introduce it to a new audience through our collaboration with mycasino the biggest operator in Switzerland. 

“This partnership is set to enhance the live casino experience of thousands of players in the country.”

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Gathering stakeholders from all corners of Europe, the event’s new Portuguese destination will shine a light on key developments and prevalent issues within the casino sector, among many other industries. 

One nation set to be placed under the spotlight at the Summit is Switzerland. Wolfgang Bliem, CEO at Grand Casino Luzern, spoke to CasinoBeats about Swiss online casino gaming and the operator’s push to bring land-based activity back to pre-pandemic levels. 

CasinoBeats: Can you give us a brief oversight of the Money Gaming Act and the framework that oversees the casino sector in Switzerland?

Wolfgang Bliem: In 1998, the Swiss parliament approved Switzerland’s first casino law, whereupon the Grand Casino Luzern was granted a casino licence in 2001. The Gaming Act was then revised in 2019, incorporating the requirements for online casinos. This was another major milestone. 

The Gambling Act regulates all forms of gambling. The aim is to protect players from gambling addiction, ensure fair games and transfer revenues to the old-age and survivor’s insurance scheme (pensions). The casino sector is monitored by the Swiss Federal Gaming Board, which issues licences, monitors gaming operations and enforces measures to combat illegal games.

CB: How important is it that Swiss regulators take action to strengthen protections against the black market?

WB: It is very important that the Swiss Federal Gaming Board takes measures to strengthen protection against the black market in the casino sector. Illegal providers are not controlled by the Swiss authorities, offer no protection against gambling addiction and manipulation and pay no taxes or duties in Switzerland. In addition, black market providers circumvent gambling addiction prevention regulations, which increases the risk of gambling addiction.

Illegal gambling activities deprive the state of significant tax revenues that could be used for old-age and survivor’s insurance. Increased measures against the black market therefore safeguard the integrity of the market and protect both players and the economy.

CB: Can you give us more details on some of the successful impacts of the ring-fenced model being utilised in Switzerland? 

WB: The ring-fenced model applied in Switzerland has had several positive effects. It has increased security and fairness in the casino sector by only allowing land-based licensed operators to offer gambling services. This has led to better protection for players, as all operators are subject to strict regulations and controls. The model has also helped to secure revenue for the state and keep illegal providers out of the market. This has generated considerable revenue, which is exclusively used for the old-age and survivor’s insurance.

CB: Have you had any success in cross-selling and transitioning land-based players to the online space? What type of challenge does this provide? 

WB: We launched mycasino.ch in 2019. During the pandemic, we had to close the casino for several months and many of our players switched to the online platform. We proactively supported this switch with various promotions. In addition, the Grand Casino Luzern brand has created trust among online players.

We were able to benefit from the first-mover advantage and remain the most successful online casino in Switzerland with a market share of one-third. On the other hand, the number of visitors to brick-and-mortar casinos has not yet returned to pre-pandemic levels. That is why we are now trying to get online players excited about land-based casinos again with our cross-selling measures. 

We offer our guests various promotions and events and have our own loyalty club “myclub” in our land-based operations. This comprises different levels and players receive different benefits depending on their level. We also offer more special events in all areas. In combination with our fine-dining restaurant, there are attractive opportunities for cross-selling activities in all directions. 

Not all players want to play on both sales channels and the challenge is to find the right offers and the right player segments. The high-rollers in both segments are usually reluctant to switch sides and the best cross-selling opportunities are in the middle player segment. We are also increasingly offering cross-divisional special events. For example, online players are invited to an event at the Grand Casino Lucerne.

CB: How crucial is it that you continue to diversify your slots offering to keep players engaged? Are there any key trends when it comes to game preferences in Switzerland? 

WB: The Grand Casino Luzern offers a variety of different slot machines from over 10 providers. The classic reel machines from a Swiss manufacturer, which have been in use for over 20 years, are still popular. As a special feature, we offer a roulette table that can be played directly at the gaming table, at terminals in the casino or via our online casino mycasino.ch. The global trend in slots towards larger screens, branded gaming content and immersive gaming experiences also applies to Switzerland.

CB: Can you tell us what you are looking forward to and why the SBC Summit in Lisbon is such a key event on the calendar? 

WB: The SBC Summit in Lisbon is an important event in the calendar as it brings together industry experts and leaders from across the gambling and sports betting industry. I am looking forward to the networking opportunities where I can make valuable contacts and form new partnerships. The summit will also provide a platform for sharing knowledge and best practices through presentations and panel discussions with leading experts. 

I am honoured to be one of the speakers and look forward to learning from my peers during the event.

CB: Finally, what else can we expect to see from Grand Casino Luzern in the coming months, ahead of the event and beyond? 

WB: The Grand Casino Lucerne has been repeatedly voted the best casino in Switzerland and is the market leader in the online segment. With excellent positioning in all three segments (online casino, land-based casino and F&B), targeted and specific promotions are being planned and will leverage cross-selling on the one hand and synergies on the other. The granting of the concession for another 20 years last year allows us to consider corresponding investments in the modernisation of our land-based casino.

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The deal sees Stakelogic’s full roster of live casino products integrated into mycasino’s online casino platform in Switzerland, offering players games such as Speed Baccarat, Super Stake Blackjack and Spin to Win. 

Neil Tanti, Senior Sales Manager at Stakelogic Live, commented: “mycasino is the market leader in Switzerland and we are excited to be able to provide them with our unique range of live casino products, as well as add them to our ever-growing list of partners using Chroma Key Studio.

“Our live casino games are meticulously designed to provide players with a one-of-a-kind live casino experience that is fully immersive and highly engaging. Our goal is to ensure these products reach the widest audience possible and working with market-leading operators like mycasino ensures that this goal is achieved.”

Grand Casino Luzern’s mycasino brand will also benefit from Stakelogic Live’s Chroma Key Studio solution. This allows Stakelogic’s operator partners to customise live casino games provided by the supplier, with mycasino set to offer a fully branded 7-seat Blackjack game. 

Wolfgang Bliem, CEO at Grand Casino Luzern, added: “Partnering with a provider like Stakelogic Live was an easy decision for us. Our players love live casino, and working alongside one of the best providers in the industry ensures we can provide them with the best gaming experience available.”

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To begin with, Grand Casino Luzern’s online brand mycasino will gain access to Push Gaming’s portfolio via an eight-week exclusivity deal. 

Titles that will be made available to mycasino players during this time include Razor Returns, Jammin’ Jars, Wild Swarm and Boss Bear.

Following the conclusion of the exclusivity agreement, Push Gaming’s titles will then be rolled out with additional operators in the Swiss market.

Wolfgang Bliem, CEO of Grand Casino Luzern, commented: “We are thrilled to be the first operator to introduce Push Gaming’s captivating slot titles to the passionate Swiss player base. This achievement underscores our leading position in the industry and the esteemed reputation of the mycasino brand.

“Our goal is to offer players the broadest range of high-quality titles that also provide innovation and transformative gameplay experiences, and through the partnership with Push Gaming, we reaffirm these aspirations. We are ecstatic to exclusively showcase their content on our platform, leading the way in doing so in Switzerland.”

Push Gaming’s expansion into Switzerland is a continuation of the supplier’s growth across the globe, adding to its recent market entries in Greece, Colombia and Italy.

“We are thrilled to be partnering with Grand Casino Luzern whilst simultaneously entering the Swiss market,” added Fiona Hickey, Director of New Business and Markets at Push Gaming.

“The operator’s leading position within Switzerland will allow our fan favourite titles to reach a vast audience and aid in further growth within the market thereafter. We are excited to see players’ reception to our unique content.”

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Following on from the two entities’ 2022 deal to integrate Pragmatic Play’s range of slot content, this extension will see the developer host a plethora of live casino games on Grand Casino Luzern’s online platform mycasino. 

The move signals Pragmatic Play’s live casino debut in Switzerland as the firm looks to “expand its reach in regulated markets worldwide”. 

Irina Cornides, Chief Operating Officer at Pragmatic Play, stated: “Grand Casino Luzern is a trusted and respected name in Switzerland, where Pragmatic Play’s extensive slots portfolio is already widely available. 

“We are delighted to extend our presence in this growing market with the introduction of our popular Live Casino games.” 

Included in Pragmatic Play’s live casino offering, mycasino Switzerland-based player base will gain access to game show titles like Sweet Bonanza CandyLand, PowerUP Roulette and Boom City, in addition to classic table games such as Roulette, Baccarat and Blackjack. 

Wolfgang Bliem, CEO at Grand Casino Luzern, added: “We’ve seen the popularity of Pragmatic Play slots since we initially began our partnership last year and therefore had no hesitation in extending the agreement to cover its incredible Live Casino selection as well. 

“It’s been a pleasure working with its team to ensure a smooth rollout.” 

While this move sees Pragmatic Play broaden its output in Switzerland, the supplier recently targeted expansion in Latin America as it formed a partnership with Betara. 

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Accessing players in Switzerland for the first time, Light & Wonder games will become available on the mycasino platform alongside titles from studio partners of the supplier’s OpenGaming service. 

Magdalena Podhorska-Okolow, MD Europe at Light & Wonder, stated: “The regulated online market in Switzerland has been performing very well. We are thrilled to be making our market entry with Grand Casino Luzern, a strong brand in Switzerland with a player base that appreciates content with land-based roots.

“We will be launching our OpenGaming aggregation platform with a wide variety of gaming content, allowing Grand Casino Luzern’s customers access to a comprehensive range of relevant, compelling entertainment.”

Igaming releases that are set to go live with Grand Casino Luzern’s online casino platform include slots such as 88 Fortunes, Raging Rhino and Spartacus, with the supplier suggesting that upcoming titles are set to be added to the mycasino lobby ‘in the coming months’. 

Wolfgang Bliem, CEO of Grand Casino Luzern, added: “Our constant goal is to provide players with the broadest range of casino games, including those containing the freshest innovations.

“Partnering with Light & Wonder and gaining access to household titles that players already love on the landbased side, allowing us to deliver the best content available within the regulated Swiss market.

“We look forward to rolling out the content exclusively on mycasino as we bring in Light & Wonder to the online market for the very first time delivering new worlds of play to our audience.”

The collaboration comes shortly after Light & Wonder announced a move to take over full ownership of the SciPlay brand, in a deal worth $422m. 

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Through this collaboration, casino.ch’s player base will gain access to Wazdan’s complete catalogue of slot content in the early stages of 2023, with Wazdan’s titles being gradually released as we approach the new year. 

Overseen by PAF, this integration marks the fifth jurisdiction that Wazdan has entered via the operator as it continues to target global expansion.

Bekki D’Agata, Commercial Director at Wazdan, commented: “Switzerland is a massive market of focus for us, and we’re delighted to partner with one of its preeminent casino institutions, Grand Casino Luzern.

“Our product portfolio has been well received by the Swiss community, and we’re looking forward to our entire offering being rolled out in the coming months.”

Upon forming this agreement, the collaboration has already taken one Wazdan slot game live, as 9 Burning Dragons is currently available on the Grand Casino Luzern subsidiary’s online casino.

Diemo Kastner, Online Casino Director of mycasino.ch, added: “We’re always searching for cutting-edge content that will be a point of differentiation for us, and Wazdan brings innovative titles as well as a fantastic engagement-boosting suite of tools, and we can’t wait to see how they are received by our players.”

With this agreement, Wazdan has continued a busy week of European expansion, following a deal to debut its titles on the regulated Czech Republic market. 

“Wazdan’s portfolio combines innovative mechanics and bold graphical styles, and we’re very pleased to expand our online casino range with its games,” explained Wolfgang Bliem, CEO of Grand Casino Luzern.

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Under the terms of the agreement, the online casino’s customers will be provided with access to a slot portfolio that includes titles such as Sweet Powernudge, Santa’s Secret Gifts, Gates of Olympus, Sugar Rush and The Dog House. 

Wolfgang Bliem, CEO at Grand Casino Luzern, stated: “Forming partnerships with businesses that share our passion for gaming has always been important to us, so an agreement with a giant like Pragmatic Play is a momentous win.

“We are excited to launch the slot content with our online platform mycasino and expect the provider’s award-winning products to go down a treat with our customers.”  

Across recent weeks the igaming supplier has adopted a LatAm flavour courtesy of a number of commercial tie-ups, with Venezuelan growth achieved via Liderendeportes, Brazil targeted though JK Bet and BetBastet, a bplay alliance extended to Argentina’s Entre Rios province and a further partnership with Peruvian operator Tinbet also disclosed.

Irina Cornides, Chief Operating Officer at Pragmatic Play, said of the group’s latest tie-up: “We are delighted to expand our footprint in Switzerland and take our distinguished slot vertical live with a leading brand in mycasino.  

“The Swiss online market is one that we have made strides in over 2022, taking our products live with a number of key operators. This agreement will ensure we can entertain an ever-broadening player base with proven slots that are loved by players all over the globe.”

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This will see customers of mycasino.ch, lauded as “the most extensive” operation in the country with a 40 per cent market share, gain access to the entire games portfolio from Oryx’s exclusive RGS partner Gamomat, including titles such as Royal Seven, Ramses Book, Crystal Book and Take 5. 

“Following a very smooth integration process we are thrilled to now offer Gamomat’s proven content to our player base,” noted Wolfgang Bliem, CEO at Grand Casino Luzern.

“Our business continues to go from strength to strength and our offering has been further improved by our partnership with Oryx.” 

Grand Casino Luzern is the first Swiss operator to launch with Oryx’s content, with the group vowing that a number of other operator agreements will soon be announced. 

This collaboration becomes the latest in a string of tie-ups spanning Croatia, Romania, Greece, Spain, Portugal, Netherlands and the US, as Oryx looks to diversify its global footprint and expand outside of its core markets. 

Matevž Mazij, managing director of Oryx Gaming, said: “Switzerland is a very exciting young market and we are pleased to finally take our content live with Grand Casino Luzern.  

“This marks the beginning of our venture in Switzerland and we couldn’t have chosen a better partner than the leading operator in the market. We look forward to further establishing our presence in the country and providing players with the premium content we have to offer.”

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