tl;dr
Switzerland's gambling regulator, Gespa, has filed a criminal complaint against FIFA Collect, accusing the soccer body's blockchain-based platform of operating unlicensed gambling services through NFTs and ticketing systems, sparking debates about regulatory challenges in sports tech.
**Swiss Gambling Authority Files Criminal Complaint Against FIFA Collect Over Alleged Illegal Gambling Practices**
Gespa, Switzerland’s lottery and gambling authority, has formally filed a criminal complaint against FIFA Collect, the international soccer governing body’s blockchain-based collectibles platform, marking a significant escalation in regulatory scrutiny of the project. The move comes after an extended investigation into the platform’s offerings, including its “right-to-buy” (RTB) ticket NFTs, which Gespa alleges violate Swiss gambling laws.
The complaint follows an initial assessment launched in early October 2023, during which Gespa could not rule out whether FIFA Collect’s services fell under Swiss gambling regulations. After a deeper probe, the authority confirmed suspicions that the platform offers unlicensed gambling services, which are illegal in Switzerland.
In a statement, Gespa emphasized its obligation to report violations of the Federal Act on Gambling. “During the investigation, suspicions were confirmed that collect.fifa.com offers gambling services that are not licensed in Switzerland and are therefore illegal,” the regulator said. The authority highlighted that participation in select competitions on the platform requires a monetary stake, with rewards distributed via random draw or similar mechanisms—classifying the offerings as “partly lotteries and partly sports betting (right-to-buy).”
The disputed “right-to-buy” (RTB) collectibles grant holders the opportunity to purchase tickets for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, hosted across North America. These NFTs, which allow users to bypass general ticket queues, can be acquired through digital packs on the platform or traded on secondary markets. Prices vary widely, ranging from approximately $98 for access to group matches in Houston to $6,000 for tickets to the opening match at Azteca Stadium in Mexico.
FIFA’s blockchain platform, initially built on the Algorand network in 2022, recently transitioned to a custom Avalanche L1 blockchain. The move underscores the organization’s broader strategy to leverage blockchain technology for its ticketing and collectibles initiatives. However, Gespa’s complaint highlights the legal risks of operating such services without proper licensing in Switzerland.
While details of the criminal complaint and ongoing proceedings remain undisclosed, Gespa Director Manuel Richard noted that further information would not be shared at this time. The case raises critical questions about the intersection of blockchain technology, gambling regulations, and the global expansion of sports-related digital assets.
FIFA has not yet commented on the allegations. However, the organization recently announced that it has sold over 1 million tickets through its early Visa presale for the 2026 World Cup, signaling strong demand for its ticketing initiatives.
As the investigation unfolds, the outcome could set a precedent for how regulatory bodies address the growing presence of blockchain-based gambling services in the sports industry. For now, the case underscores the challenges of navigating international gambling laws in an era of decentralized digital platforms.