Switzerland’s Federal Gaming Board (GESPA) has formally challenged FIFA’s official non-fungible token (NFT) platform, alleging regulatory violations related to gambling provisions. In a recently filed complaint, the national regulatory body contends that the platform’s user reward mechanisms incorporate elements of chance that meet Switzerland’s legal definition of gambling activities.
The regulatory scrutiny focuses specifically on how FIFA’s digital collectibles platform distributes rewards to participants. GESPA’s analysis determined that the unpredictable nature of these rewards constitutes games of chance under existing Swiss gambling legislation. This classification would subject the platform to stricter regulatory oversight and compliance requirements typically applied to traditional gambling operations.
This development represents a significant regulatory challenge for FIFA’s digital asset initiative, potentially requiring substantial modifications to the platform’s reward distribution model. The complaint underscores the growing regulatory attention being paid to blockchain-based platforms that incorporate gamification elements, particularly those operated by major international organizations.
The formal complaint initiates a regulatory review process that could have broader implications for NFT platforms operating within Switzerland’s jurisdiction. Industry observers are closely monitoring the situation as it may establish important precedents for how gambling regulations apply to digital asset platforms featuring reward mechanisms.
