365Crypto
Swiss Watchdog Challenges FIFA Collect
Switzerland’s gambling regulator, GESPA, has filed a formal complaint against FIFA Collect, the football body’s NFT platform. The authority claims it operates like an unlicensed gambling provider.
GESPA said that FIFA Collect’s airdrop rewards and challenges involve “elements of chance,” making them subject to gambling laws. In simple terms, users must spend money for a shot at random prizes — that’s the definition of gambling in Swiss law.
NFT Rewards Seen as Lotteries
According to GESPA, these competitions resemble lotteries or sports betting, not harmless fan collectibles. Switzerland allows only two licensed sports betting providers — Sporttip and Jouez Sport — which leaves FIFA Collect outside legal limits.
Legal Gray Area for NFTs
The case underscores how NFT and Web3 projects continue to face unclear regulations. As governments try to catch up with crypto innovations, platforms like FIFA Collect test the boundaries between gaming, collectibles, and gambling.
FIFA Collect’s NFT Journey
FIFA launched FIFA Collect in 2022 on Algorand, later expanding collections tied to the 2026 World Cup. Some NFTs offered “Right to Buy” privileges — exclusive rights to buy tickets at face value — and sold out at $999 each.
Now, FIFA plans to migrate to its own blockchain on Avalanche, possibly to avoid similar legal scrutiny.
