n a press release published on Friday 30 January, the Federal Commission of gambling houses (CFMJ) estimates that the casino tax in 2008 was more than us$ 440 million. 372 million will go to the AVS and some us$ 68.1 million will go to Type-B casinos located in the cantons.
According to CFMJ: “In 2008, the gross gaming revenue achieved by the 19 Swiss gambling houses reached nearly us$ 845 million, which represents a fall of 2.7% as compared with the previous financial year (us$ 869 million). The GGR for slot machines rose to us$ 678.2 million and that of table games reached us$ 167 million. This outcome, which is less than what most operators forecasted, is due essentially by the current situation and by the smoking ban in public places which went into force in certain districts”.
The Swiss casinos should thus pay more than us$ 440 million as taxes in 2008 on gambling houses, against us$ 459 million in 2007. Most of this amount has already been paid as down payments. The balance will be claimed after the final taxation.
