{"id":105736,"date":"2025-10-18T04:00:33","date_gmt":"2025-10-18T04:00:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mycryptomania.com\/?p=105736"},"modified":"2025-10-18T04:00:33","modified_gmt":"2025-10-18T04:00:33","slug":"fifa-faces-legal-action-over-nft-ticket-vouchers-in-switzerland","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mycryptomania.com\/?p=105736","title":{"rendered":"FIFA Faces Legal Action Over NFT Ticket Vouchers in Switzerland"},"content":{"rendered":"

Switzerland\u2019s gambling regulator Gespa has filed a criminal complaint against FIFA Collect, challenging the \u201cright\u2011to\u2011buy\u201d NFT vouchers tied to World Cup tickets. Gespa contends that the way these tokens are sold, via random draws or chance, makes them behave like gambling or lotteries, which are regulated under Swiss law.<\/span><\/p>\n

The investigation kicked off in early October after internal reviews flagged possible violations of the Swiss Federal Act on Gambling. At <\/span>first,<\/span> Gespa said it \u201ccould not rule out\u201d that FIFA Collect\u2019s model might be subject to gambling regulation. After a <\/span>deeper<\/span> review, the regulator confirmed that suspicions had gained enough traction to warrant legal action.<\/span><\/p>\n

The NFT Model That Sparked Controversy<\/span><\/h2>\n

The heart of the dispute lies in NFTs that give holders access to a lottery\u2011style ticket purchase process. These \u201cright\u2011to\u2011buy\u201d tokens let some fans skip ahead in ticket queues if certain conditions are met. But users must buy the tokens upfront and hope that events unfold favorably, such as their team advancing or their token being selected.<\/span><\/p>\n

FIFA faces criminal complaint from Swiss gambling authorities over its NFT platform FIFA Collect: pic.twitter.com\/oBC90b78W2<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Kate Irwin (@pixiekate13) October 17, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n\n

Gespa argues that since users pay for these tokens and the r<\/span>ewards are tied to chance, the system combines elements of lotteries and sports betting. Those kinds of offerings require explicit licensing in Switzerland, and Gespa states that FIFA Collect does not have those licenses.<\/span><\/p>\n

The prices on FIFA\u2019s secondary marketplace already vary wildly. Some RTB tokens tied to group stage purchases start around $98, <\/span>while<\/span> others, granting access to marquee games like the opening match in Azteca Stadium, have fetched up to $6,000.<\/span><\/p>\n

How FIFA Built Its Token Ecosystem<\/span><\/h2>\n

FIFA reports it has sold over 1 million tickets during its early Visa presale phase. The platform powering collectables was first built on Algorand, but FIFA recently migrated to its own Avalanche\u2011based layer\u20111 network to better support token sales and scalability.<\/span><\/p>\n

The right\u2011to\u2011buy mechanism is operated in collaboration with Modex Tech Ltd., a blockchain infrastructure provider behind FIFA\u2019s collectible systems. FIFA defends the model by arguing <\/span>the<\/span> tokens help manage overwhelming ticket demand and give fans a new way to engage.<\/span><\/p>\n

Some media outlets estimate that RTB token sales have already brought in roughly $15 million. However, FIFA has not publicly verified these totals.<\/span><\/p>\n

DISCOVER: 20+ Next Crypto to Explode in 2025<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Gespa\u2019s Next Move and What FIFA Faces<\/span><\/h2>\n

If Gespa\u2019s review finds that these NFTs violate Swiss gambling laws, it must escalate the case to criminal prosecutors. The regulator has told the <\/span>media<\/span> that FIFA Collect may be functioning as an unlicensed gambling operator by Swiss standards.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n
\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
Market Cap<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\n\t\t\t\t