Switzerland’s gambling regulator Gespa has opened a preliminary investigation into FIFA’s new blockchain-based tokens for the 2026 World Cup, amid growing concerns that they may violate the country’s gambling laws.
?FIFA vs Gespa
Switzerland’s gambling regulator Gespa has launched an investigation into FIFA’s NFT ticketing system for the 2026 World Cup.
The authority suspects it could be a disguised lottery scheme.
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At the center of the probe are FIFA’s “Right to Buy” (RTB) tokens, sold through its official platform FIFA Collect. These NFTs grant holders the opportunity to purchase tickets for specific World Cup matches if certain conditions are met.
For example, the “Right to Buy: England Finals” token, priced at USD 999, only becomes valid if England reaches the final. Given the 48-team tournament format, most tokens are unlikely to result in ticket purchases.
Regulator Warns of Possible Gambling Law Violations
Gespa Director Manuel Richard stated that the scheme “cannot exclude the possibility that FIFA Collect’s offerings fall under gambling legislation.”
Under Swiss law, gambling typically involves three elements: chance, payment, and prize , a combination that could apply to these speculative NFT-based products.
Officials are particularly concerned that the tokens’ conditional structure and resale market may create a “gambling-like dynamic.” Many tokens could lose value if a team fails to advance, while some linked to finalists are being resold for as much as USD 30,000, up from their original USD 999 price tag.
This speculative behavior, regulators say, blurs the line between digital collectibles and betting, highlighting the growing tension between blockchain innovation and consumer protection.
FIFA Defends Token System as a Response to Massive Demand
FIFA insists that the RTB token model was designed to manage unprecedented ticket demand, citing the 2022 Qatar World Cup, which saw 23 million ticket requests for just 3.4 million available seats.
?FIFA World Cup 2026 | RTB Breakdown
RTBs (Right to Buy) are your golden key to FIFA’s biggest tournaments, including the @FIFAWorldCup 2026.
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According to reports, FIFA has already generated approximately USD 15 million in revenue from the token sales. The project is operated in partnership with Swiss blockchain firm Modex Tech Ltd.
Gespa’s inquiry remains in the preliminary stage, focusing on fact-finding and legal assessment. No formal accusations have been made, and the regulator’s review was reportedly triggered by questions from Bloomberg.
If found to violate gambling law, FIFA and its partners could face business suspensions or platform access restrictions within Switzerland.
Broader Implications for Blockchain Ticketing
The case could have far-reaching implications for how blockchain technology is integrated into sports and entertainment ticketing. FIFA’s ticketing operations are a critical component of its USD 11 billion revenue forecast for 2023–2026, and regulatory scrutiny may reshape future digital sales models.
With blockchain applications expanding rapidly in areas such as gaming, fan engagement, and real-world asset tokenization, the outcome of Gespa’s probe could set a precedent for how NFTs and conditional-access tokens are treated under global gambling laws.
