FIFA Faces Legal Action Over NFT Ticket Vouchers in Switzerland

Switzerland's gambling regulator Gespa has escalated its scrutiny of FIFA Collect, filing a criminal complaint against the platform's NFT-based ticket vouchers for the World Cup. The regulator asserts that the "right-to-buy" tokens function as unregulated gambling products due to their reliance on chance-based mechanisms.

The dispute centers on NFTs that grant holders priority access to ticket purchases through a lottery system. Fans must purchase these tokens upfront, with no guarantee of securing tickets—a model Gespa argues mirrors traditional gambling structures. The investigation, initiated in October after potential violations of Swiss gambling laws were flagged, has now progressed to formal legal action.

FIFA's innovative approach to ticket sales collides with regulatory frameworks as authorities challenge the blurring line between digital asset utility and gambling. The outcome could set precedents for how NFTs are classified in regulated markets globally.