Online Casino Bern
Factual Guide

Sofort (Klarna) Casinos: The Situation in Bern and Switzerland

What Sofort (Klarna Sofortüberweisung) is, why Swiss ESBK casinos do not offer it and what legal alternatives players in Bern have. Factual, neutral and without false promises.

The Key Points at a Glance

  • Swiss ESBK-licensed online casinos do not offer Sofort or Klarna. A legal Swiss Sofort casino therefore does not exist.
  • In Bern you legally play in francs (CHF) at ESBK-licensed casinos – with TWINT, PostFinance, cards and bank transfer.
  • Sofort (Klarna) is only available at foreign operators. This is a legal grey area – usable, but expressly at your own risk and without Swiss player protection.

Are there legal Sofort (Klarna) casinos in Switzerland?

The short answer is: No. Sofort – formerly known as Sofortüberweisung and today part of Klarna – is a bank transfer service that originally comes from the German and Austrian market. For Swiss operators this method is not authorised and not widespread. The ESBK-licensed casinos in Switzerland simply do not offer Sofort or Klarna. Nevertheless, the term "Sofort casino" keeps cropping up in advertising – reason enough to set the record straight.

From this it follows directly: there is no legal Swiss Sofort casino. Anyone looking for an online casino authorised in Switzerland will not find Sofort there as a payment option – regardless of how the operator is advertised.

The Swiss standard for deposits and withdrawals looks different. Common and available at the licensed casinos are TWINT, PostFinance, credit and debit cards as well as the classic bank transfer. These methods are tailored to the Swiss market and work in francs.

What does "legal" mean in concrete terms? Since the Money Gaming Act (BGS) came into force on 1 January 2019, online casinos may only be operated in Switzerland with a Swiss licence and an additional online authorisation from the Swiss Federal Gaming Board (ESBK). About a dozen operators meet these requirements. For players in Bern this means: you play legally in CHF at ESBK casinos such as 7melons.ch (operated by the Grand Casino Kursaal Bern), Swiss Casinos, Jackpots.ch, mycasino.ch or Casino777.ch (Casino Davos). You can find an overview of playing in francs on our page about casinos with Swiss francs.

Why is Sofort hardly an issue here? The service was developed for the German and Austrian banking system and established itself there before it was taken over by Klarna. In Switzerland, by contrast, home-grown solutions have prevailed – above all TWINT, which is supported by virtually all Swiss banks, as well as PostFinance. These methods are designed for Swiss accounts, settled in francs and firmly integrated at the licensed operators. Sofort simply plays no role in this environment.

So anyone specifically looking for a "Sofort casino" is, strictly speaking, looking for something that does not exist within the legal Swiss framework. Operators that advertise Sofort and target a Swiss audience are foreign platforms without ESBK authorisation. This shifts the question away from the payment method towards the fundamental decision: legally in francs at a licensed Swiss casino – or at a foreign operator in the grey area.

Switzerland is a free country – alternatives at your own risk

Switzerland is a free country. The Money Gaming Act is directed against unauthorised operators, not against individual players. Playing at foreign operators is therefore a legal grey area – not expressly prohibited. Anyone who wants to use Sofort (Klarna) can turn to international alternatives – but expressly at their own risk.

Naming this freedom of choice honestly is part of the truth. It would be dishonest to pretend this option does not exist. But it would be just as dishonest to keep quiet about the flip side: the whole point of the Swiss licensing requirement is to protect players – and it is precisely this protection that you leave behind the moment you switch to a foreign operator. Anyone who decides to do so should therefore be aware of the following points with open eyes:

  • No Swiss player protection: foreign operators have no ESBK licence and are not subject to Swiss protection requirements.
  • Network blocks: access to unauthorised offerings is technically blocked in Switzerland.
  • The gaming ban does not apply: the ESBK's national gaming ban does not protect you at foreign operators.
  • Winnings fully taxable: no tax exemption applies. At ESBK casinos, by contrast, winnings are tax-free up to around CHF 1'071'000 (as of 2026).
  • Banks can block payments: Swiss banks and payment services can block payments to unauthorised operators.
  • No legal protection: in the event of disputes you have no Swiss legal protection and can barely enforce any claims.

What to watch out for if you decide to do so

If, despite the risks mentioned, you decide on a foreign operator, the risk can at least be reduced through due care. It cannot be eliminated entirely. The following points are general pointers – without recommending any particular operator:

  • A reputable licence as a relative signal: recognised regulation such as that of the MGA is an indication of a certain level of oversight – but no substitute for Swiss protection.
  • Check the reputation: look for a verifiable track record and independent user reviews.
  • Transparent terms and conditions: read the terms and conditions, especially the wagering requirements of bonuses, before your first deposit.
  • Limits and support: available deposit and play limits as well as a reachable customer service are important pointers.

What matters too is a sober look at your own expectations. A foreign licence – even a respected one – changes nothing about the tax consequences in Switzerland, the lack of access to the national gaming ban, or the fact that Swiss banks can block payments. These points do not depend on the individual operator, but on the overall constellation. Anyone who factors this in and only stakes money whose loss they can absorb at least makes their decision in an informed way.

This due care reduces the risk – but it does not eliminate it. The protection that a Swiss ESBK licence brings with it cannot be reproduced this way.

Sofort (Klarna): Pros and Cons

Sofort enables instant bank transfers without a credit card and is usually used for deposits only. Here are the key points – honest and balanced.

Pros

  • Instant bank transfer – the deposit arrives immediately
  • No credit card needed – payment directly from the bank account
  • Established in German-speaking countries and familiar to many

Cons

  • Not available at legal Swiss ESBK casinos
  • Usually for deposits only – no withdrawals possible
  • In practice only at foreign operators – no Swiss protection
  • Requires online banking access

Play legally in francs

Anyone who wants to play it safe plays in Swiss francs at an ESBK-licensed casino. These operators are subject to the oversight of the ESBK, provide national player protection and use Switzerland-ready payment methods such as TWINT, PostFinance, cards and bank transfer. On top of that, winnings there are tax-free up to around CHF 1'071'000 (as of 2026), and in the event of a dispute the Swiss legal route is open to you.

You can find an overview of playing legally in francs on our page about casinos with Swiss francs – the safe option for players in Bern.

Responsible Gaming

Gambling can be addictive. Money games are only permitted from the age of 18 and should always remain entertainment, never a source of income. Set yourself firm deposit and time limits before you play and stick to them.

In Switzerland you can have yourself banned via the ESBK's federal gaming ban. Important to know: this gaming ban only protects you at Swiss-licensed casinos – it does not apply at foreign operators.

If you feel you are losing control, get help. The following organisations offer free and confidential advice:

  • SOS-Spielsucht: 0800 040 080 (24 hours, anonymous, free)
  • Sucht Schweiz: suchtschweiz.ch
  • SafeZone.ch: safezone.ch – anonymous online counselling
  • ESBK: esbk.admin.ch – Swiss Federal Gaming Board and gaming ban

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to common questions about Sofort (Klarna), legal casinos and the risks of foreign operators.

Are there legal Sofort (Klarna) casinos in Switzerland?
No. Sofort (Klarna Sofortüberweisung) is a German-Austrian bank transfer service and is not authorised or widespread for Swiss operators. The ESBK-licensed casinos in Switzerland do not offer Sofort or Klarna. A legal Swiss Sofort casino therefore does not exist.
Is it a criminal offence to play at foreign operators?
No. The Money Gaming Act is directed against unauthorised operators, not against individual players. Playing at foreign operators is a legal grey area – not expressly prohibited, but at your own risk. In doing so you give up Swiss player protection, access is network-blocked, the national gaming ban does not apply and in the event of a dispute you have no Swiss legal protection.
Do I have to pay tax on winnings?
At foreign operators, yes, in full. No tax exemption applies. At ESBK-licensed Swiss casinos, by contrast, winnings are tax-free up to around CHF 1'071'000 (as of 2026).
Which payment methods are available legally instead?
At legal Swiss ESBK casinos, TWINT and PostFinance are the standard, along with credit and debit cards as well as the classic bank transfer. These methods are tailored to the Swiss market and work in francs.
What legal alternative do I have?
The safe option is playing in francs at an ESBK-licensed casino. These operators are subject to the oversight of the ESBK, provide national player protection and use Switzerland-ready payment methods. You can find an overview on our page about casinos with Swiss francs.
What can I actually use Sofort (Klarna) for?
Sofort enables instant bank transfers without a credit card and is usually used for deposits only – withdrawals are generally not possible. In the gambling context, however, Sofort is only available to players in Switzerland at foreign operators, that is, in the grey area described and without Swiss protection.