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Read Full BioSwitzerland’s gambling regulator Gespa has filed a criminal complaint against FIFA over its World Cup ticket system that it says is a form of unlicensed gambling.
Gespa launched an investigation earlier this month into the convoluted ticket system being run by soccer’s world governing body ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
The gambling regulator has concluded its fact-finding probe and alleges that FIFA is running a system that is partly lottery and partly sports betting.
The FIFA Collect platform allows users to buy NFTs and Right to Buy (RTB) tokens. These tokens later allow holders to purchase tickets for matches at the World Cup. However, a gambling element enters the equation as the RTB tokens only become valuable if the attached team progresses to a certain stage of the tournament.
For example, users can purchase an RTB token titled “Right To Final: England.” If England reaches the final, then users can purchase a ticket for the match. However, if England fails to make it that far, then the token becomes worthless. Gespa says this amounts to sports betting.
Additionally, users can buy special NFT packs where the contents are unknown. This, Gespa argues, is another form of gambling, as users are paying money with the hope of receiving a valuable reward, akin to a lottery.
In a statement released on the regulator’s website, Gespa stated, “Participation in the competitions is only possible in exchange for a monetary stake, with monetary benefits to be won. Whether participants win a prize depends on random draws or similar procedures. From a gambling law perspective, the offers in question are partly lotteries and partly sports betting (Right to Final).”
FIFA Could Face Enforcement Action Under Swiss Law
Gespa cannot enforce any legal penalties itself, but instead has passed its concern to the relevant authorities. In its statement, it added, “Gespa is obliged to notify the competent prosecution authorities if it becomes aware of violations of the Federal Act on Gambling.”
“The final criminal assessment is the responsibility of the law enforcement authorities. If necessary, they can call on Gespa for assistance with their investigations.”
Director Manuel Richard said that further details remain confidential as the case moves to prosecutors. However, he said that it could disrupt the money-making scheme devised by FIFA that has led to billions of dollars worth of sales.
In addition to the concerns over gambling, FIFA’s system has drawn criticism as it allows users to resell tickets with no cap on the ticket price. In previous years, fans could only sell tickets for the face value of the ticket. Users can also sell their NFTs and RTB tokens on the FIFA Collect marketplace, and FIFA takes a 15% commission on the sales.
FIFA has been expanding the ways it can maximize revenue from the World Cup, its flagship tournament. Ahead of the 2022 tournament in Qatar it partnered with an official betting sponsor for the first time, signing a deal with Betano.
Case Could Have Big Impact on FIFA’s Profits
Richard said the case could have a big impact on FIFA’s finances. He stated, “The case could disrupt its $11 billion revenue forecast for 2023–2026, where ticketing and digital sales play a major role.”
He added that the criminal complaint could have far-reaching consequences. He stated, “It may force enhanced compliance, such as KYC/AML checks, geo-blocks for Swiss users, or redesigned NFT mechanics to avoid ‘gambling-like’ elements.”
FIFA has not publicly responded yet. The case underscores growing regulatory attention toward NFTs that merge digital collectibles with real-world rewards. Legal analysts suggest it could set a key precedent across Europe for defining chance-based digital assets, potentially influencing blockchain initiatives in gaming, fan engagement, and tokenization.
Because FIFA is headquartered in Zurich and operates FIFA Collect within Swiss jurisdiction, it falls under the country’s regulations. Operating or promoting unlicensed gambling accessible in Switzerland is a criminal offense under Article 130 of the BGS, punishable by fines or imprisonment.
In recent years there have been numerous cases of FIFA officials investigated over racketeering, wire fraud and money-laundering conspiracies tied to decades of corrupt practices. The award of World Cups in Russia, and Qatar, were at the center of a 2015 FIFA corruption scandal.
Former President Sepp Blatter and UEFA President Michel Platini were also both implicated in scandals, but escaped criminal prosecution by the Swiss Federal Criminal Court. The court ruled that prosecutors could not prove alleged bribery payments were unlawful.
The Swiss courts will now determine whether to take any legal action against the FIFA Collect system.
