- Swiss regulator accuses FIFA Collect NFT platform of illegal gambling operations.
- GESPA investigation claims FIFA’s digital drops resemble lotteries and betting.
- FIFA’s blockchain collectibles face legal scrutiny amid growing regulatory pressure.
Switzerland’s gambling regulator has escalated concerns over FIFA’s blockchain activities. The Swiss Gambling Supervisory Authority, known as GESPA, filed a criminal complaint with prosecutors regarding FIFA’s NFT platform, alleging that it may violate national gambling laws.
GESPA revealed that it began investigating FIFA Collect in early October after discovering the platform’s operations. The platform, hosted at collect.fifa.com, offers users opportunities to participate in digital competitions such as drops and challenges. These events involve non-fungible tokens that represent collectible football moments.
According to GESPA, the competitions on FIFA Collect require participants to stake money for a chance to win cash rewards. The regulator explained that the results depend on random draws or similar elements of chance, bringing the activity under Switzerland’s strict gambling rules.
After a detailed assessment, GESPA concluded that some of FIFA’s offerings qualify as lotteries, while others resemble sports betting.
Hence, the agency notified law enforcement authorities, as required under the Federal Act on Gambling, and emphasized that prosecutors will determine any criminal liability. FIFA, headquartered in Zurich, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
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FIFA’s Digital Collectibles Journey Under Scrutiny
FIFA first launched its digital collectibles project before the 2022 World Cup. The initiative aimed to allow fans to collect digital representations of iconic football moments. Initially powered by the Algorand blockchain, the platform later migrated to Polygon in 2023.
The latest collection offered participants the opportunity to win tickets to the 2026 World Cup, positioning the NFTs as a bridge between digital fandom and real-world rewards.
At the time, FIFA’s Chief Business Officer, Romy Gai, stated that the collectibles were designed to make football memorabilia accessible to fans worldwide. He described it as a modern form of engagement similar to trading cards or stickers, but digitally distributed through blockchain technology.
Moreover, FIFA has continued expanding its digital presence. Earlier this year, it disclosed plans to launch its own blockchain network compatible with Ethereum Virtual Machine technology. Built on the Avalanche stack, the new “FIFA Blockchain” will eventually host all its NFT projects.
Consequently, the ongoing investigation by Swiss authorities marks a significant test of how digital collectibles intersect with gambling law. The outcome could influence how sports organizations worldwide approach blockchain-based fan engagement in the future.
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