Switzerland’s gambling watchdog, Gespa, has filed a criminal complaint against FIFA, alleging that the football governing body’s blockchain-based ticketing and collectables platform, FIFA Collect, may violate national gambling laws. The regulator claims the platform’s structure resembles unlicensed lotteries and sports betting, particularly through NFTs tied to the 2026 World Cup.
According to Gespa, FIFA Collect allows users to purchase and trade non-fungible tokens (NFTs) that grant specific rights or potential rewards linked to tournament outcomes. Some NFTs require participants to pay an entry fee and offer monetary prizes based on random draws or match results. The authority argues that such mechanisms fall under Switzerland’s definition of gambling activities, which are tightly regulated and require licensing.
Earlier this month, Gespa launched a preliminary probe into FIFA Collect to assess whether its offerings should be classified as gambling under Swiss law. Following that review, the agency concluded that parts of the platform function as lotteries, while others align more closely with sports betting. The organisation has now referred the matter to the public prosecutor’s office, which will determine whether to proceed with formal charges.
“From a gambling law perspective, the offers in question are partly lotteries and partly sports betting,” Gespa said in its filing. The regulator added that it is obligated to report any suspected legal breaches to law enforcement. FIFA has yet to issue an official response.
The complaint focuses heavily on FIFA’s “Right to Final” token—a high-profile NFT that lets holders buy tickets to the 2026 World Cup final only if their selected team qualifies. The system was introduced as part of FIFA’s “Right to Buy” initiative, which allows fans to secure conditional purchase rights for specific matches. These tokens are also tradable on secondary markets, making them speculative assets.
Critics argue that the “Right to Final” token blurs the line between fan engagement and gambling. For instance, the “Right to Final: England” NFT sold for about $999 earlier this year and sold out quickly. However, its value is entirely contingent on England reaching the final—if the team fails to qualify, the token becomes worthless. Gespa contends that such a model introduces financial risk based on chance, fitting the criteria for gambling under Swiss law.
The case underscores the growing tension between emerging blockchain-based fan engagement models and existing gambling regulations. As FIFA prepares for the 2026 World Cup, the outcome of this investigation could set an important precedent for how sports organisations deploy digital assets in fan experiences without crossing legal boundaries.
