As of: June 2026

Best Casino Bonuses for Bern

Welcome bonuses, free spins and fair wagering requirements at ESBK-licensed Swiss casinos – in CHF.

Bonuses at legal Swiss casinos

In Switzerland, online casinos may only be operated with an ESBK licence and online authorisation since the Gambling Act (BGS, in force since 1 January 2019). Currently around twelve operators are licensed. These casinos award bonuses in Swiss francs – regulated and generally more restrained than flashy offshore offers. For players in Bern, the local operator 7melons.ch of the Grand Casino Kursaal Bern is also among them.

Casino Operator ESBK Licence Bonus Offer Editorial Rating
7melons.ch
FOR BERN
Grand Casino Kursaal Bern Welcome bonus for new customers – check the terms with the operator ★ 4.7 Learn more →
Swiss Casinos Swiss Casinos Group Welcome bonus for new customers – check the terms with the operator ★ 4.6 Learn more →
Jackpots.ch Grand Casino Baden Welcome bonus for new customers – check the terms with the operator ★ 4.5 Learn more →
mycasino.ch Grand Casino Luzern Welcome bonus for new customers – check the terms with the operator ★ 4.5 Learn more →
Casino777.ch Casino Davos Welcome bonus for new customers – check the terms with the operator ★ 4.4 Learn more →

As of June 2026 · ESBK-licensed operators only · bonus terms change. The rating is an editorial assessment; for specific bonus amounts and conditions, please refer to the cashier or bonus section of the respective operator.

All listed casinos hold a valid ESBK licence and can therefore be used legally in Switzerland. Instead of luring you with specific percentages that change all the time anyway, we deliberately point to each operator's own offer: this way you always see the conditions that actually apply rather than outdated advertising promises. For players in Bern, it makes sense to start with the local operator 7melons.ch of the Grand Casino Kursaal Bern – but the other licensed casinos are of course just as accessible from the canton of Bern. Compare not only the bonus amount, but above all the wagering requirements, before you decide.

Types of bonus at a glance

ESBK-licensed Swiss casinos work with several bonus formats. They differ in when they are granted, how much credit they provide and what conditions are attached to them. Anyone who knows the differences can assess an offer realistically and avoids nasty surprises at withdrawal. Specific amounts and conditions are set by each operator individually and are changed regularly – always check them in the cashier or bonus section (as of June 2026).

Welcome or deposit bonus

The classic for new customers: the casino credits a percentage share of your first deposit as bonus funds, for instance 100% up to a set maximum amount. What to watch for: the actual maximum, the minimum deposit and the associated wagering requirements.

Free spins

A set number of free spins on selected slots, often in addition to the welcome bonus. What to watch for: which games they apply to, the value of a single spin and whether the winnings from the free spins have to be wagered.

No-deposit bonus

A bonus without your own deposit – ideal for testing a casino risk-free. In return, the amounts are small and the conditions stricter: usually higher wagering requirements and a cap on the maximum payout. At ESBK operators rather rare and always regulated.

Reload and cashback bonus

Offers for existing customers: a reload bonus rewards further deposits, while cashback refunds part of your losses over a period of time. What to watch for: how often the promotion runs, and whether the cashback is credited as real money or as bonus funds subject to wagering.

Regardless of the type of bonus: always read the small print. Only the combination of bonus amount, wagering requirements, minimum deposit, eligible games and validity period determines whether an offer is actually attractive. A clearly understandable, regulated bonus from an ESBK operator is in the long run usually the better choice than a seemingly generous offer with hidden hurdles.

Understanding wagering requirements

Practically every casino bonus is tied to wagering requirements. They determine how often you have to stake the bonus amount before a payout is possible. This is expressed as a multiplier: at 35x and a bonus of CHF 100, you have to wager a total of CHF 3,500 before bonus winnings become withdrawable. The lower the multiplier, the fairer the offer.

Equally decisive is the game weighting: not every game contributes equally to the wagering. Slots usually count 100%, table games such as blackjack or roulette often only 10 to 50%, and the live casino is frequently excluded entirely. So anyone who generates CHF 100 of wagering on roulette with a 20% weighting only fulfils CHF 20 of the requirement.

It is also important what the multiplier refers to: some casinos count only the bonus amount, others the sum of deposit and bonus (deposit + bonus). With otherwise identical conditions, a bonus-only wagering requirement is considerably easier to meet than one that also includes your deposit. The deadline matters too: the wagering requirements usually have to be met within a certain number of days, otherwise the bonus expires along with the winnings made from it.

So read the bonus terms in full: pay attention not only to the multiplier, but also to which games count and by how much, whether certain titles are excluded entirely and which reference value the casino uses. Only these details determine how realistic it is to turn the bonus into a withdrawable win – and this is precisely where fair offers differ from unattractive ones.

How to evaluate a casino bonus

The percentage on the banner says little about the actual quality of a bonus. A moderate offer with fair conditions is often worth considerably more than a huge bonus with high wagering requirements. You should check these points before accepting:

  • Wagering requirements: How high is the multiplier, and which games count by how much? A low, transparent wager is the most important quality marker.
  • Maximum stake per round: Many casinos limit the stake while the bonus is active (e.g. to a few francs per spin). Anyone who exceeds it often loses the bonus.
  • Validity period: Within what deadline must the wagering requirements be met? Deadlines that are too tight make a seemingly large bonus unrealistic.
  • Maximum payout: Especially with no-deposit bonuses, a winnings cap often applies. No matter how much you win – only up to this amount is paid out.
  • Eligible games: Are your favourite games allowed for the wagering at all, or excluded? A bonus is of little use if it does not suit your style of play.

Rule of thumb: read the full bonus terms and work out the real effort involved before you activate a bonus. A fair bonus convinces through transparency, not through the biggest number.

Bonuses at ESBK casinos vs. foreign offers

Legal bonuses in Switzerland are available exclusively at ESBK-licensed casinos. They run in Swiss francs, are subject to the oversight of the Swiss Federal Gaming Board and are embedded in domestic player protection. The offers are more regulated and usually more restrained – but in return you know who you are dealing with and who is responsible in the event of a dispute.

Flashy offshore mega-bonuses such as "200% up to CHF 1,500 with no wagering requirements" typically come from unlicensed operators. Such platforms hold no Swiss authorisation, are blocked in Switzerland via a network ban and offer no Swiss player protection. Any winnings are also fully taxable.

Playing at such operators moves in a legal grey area and happens at your own risk: in the event of problems with payouts, account blocks or unfair conditions, you cannot rely on Swiss supervision or courts. Anyone who wants to play it safe stays with the ESBK operators – even if the bonus there looks less spectacular.

Taxes on bonus winnings

Winnings from online gambling – including those arising from a bonus – are tax-free at ESBK-licensed Swiss casinos up to an exemption threshold of approx. CHF 1,071,000 per casino and year (as of 2026). For the vast majority of players, casino winnings therefore remain effectively tax-free.

The situation is different with foreign, unlicensed operators: such winnings are always fully taxable in Switzerland and must be declared in the tax return. When in doubt, it is worth checking with the responsible tax authority; the figures stated serve as a guide (approximate values, as of 2026).

Responsible gambling

Bonuses make play more attractive – but they can also tempt you to play longer or with higher stakes than you actually intended. So use bonuses deliberately and only with money you can afford to lose. Gambling is entertainment, not a way to earn money, and it is intended exclusively for adults (18+).

Set yourself firm deposit, stake and time limits in advance – ESBK-licensed casinos offer tools for this directly in your account. Anyone who needs a break can use the federal gambling ban of the ESBK, which applies to all Swiss casinos.

Watch out for warning signs: chasing your losses, staking more than planned, or playing to forget stress or worries. Bonuses should never be a reason to risk more than you are comfortable with. If gambling becomes a burden, get support – the following organisations offer free and confidential advice:

Help and advice

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to common questions about this topic.

Are casino bonuses legal in Switzerland?
Yes – at ESBK-licensed casinos. Since the Gambling Act (in force since 1 January 2019), online casinos in Switzerland may only be operated with a licence from the Swiss Federal Gaming Board (ESBK) and an online authorisation. Bonuses from these operators are legal, run in CHF and are subject to Swiss player protection. Unlicensed foreign operators, by contrast, are network-blocked; their bonuses move in a grey area.
What is a welcome bonus?
A welcome bonus is an offer for new customers that is activated on the first deposit. The casino credits a percentage share of your deposit as bonus funds, for instance 100% up to a set maximum amount. The exact size and the conditions differ from operator to operator and change over time – check them in the cashier or bonus section of the respective casino (as of June 2026).
What are wagering requirements?
Wagering requirements determine how often you have to stake a bonus before winnings are withdrawable. They are stated as a multiplier: 35x means you have to wager the bonus amount 35 times. Note the game weighting – slots usually count 100%, table games such as blackjack or roulette often only 10–50%, live casino games frequently not at all.
Are there no-deposit bonuses?
No-deposit bonuses (without a deposit) are rather rare at ESBK-licensed casinos and are always regulated. When they do exist, the amounts are small and tied to stricter conditions: usually higher wagering requirements and a cap on the maximum payout. Which promotions are currently available can be seen with the respective operator (as of June 2026).
Do I have to pay tax on bonus winnings?
Winnings from bonuses at ESBK-licensed Swiss casinos are tax-free up to an exemption threshold of approx. CHF 1,071,000 (as of 2026) – for most players they therefore remain effectively tax-free. Winnings from foreign, unlicensed operators, by contrast, are always fully taxable and must be declared. When in doubt, check with the responsible tax authority.
How do I recognise a fair bonus?
Don't look only at the percentage. What matters are low, transparent wagering requirements, a sensible maximum stake per round, a sufficient validity period, a fair or non-existent payout cap, as well as the games eligible for the wagering. A moderate bonus with clear, fair conditions is often worth more than a huge bonus with a high wager.
Can I use several bonuses at the same time?
As a rule, only one bonus can be active at the same time. Usually you can only claim a new one once the wagering requirements of a bonus have been met or it has expired. Read the bonus terms carefully to understand how promotions can be combined and when a next bonus is possible.