FIFA Faces Legal Action Over NFT Ticket Vouchers in Switzerland

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Switzerland’s gambling regulator Gespa has filed a criminal complaint against FIFA Collect, challenging the “right‑to‑buy” 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.

The investigation kicked off in early October after internal reviews flagged possible violations of the Swiss Federal Act on Gambling. At first, Gespa said it “could not rule out” that FIFA Collect’s model might be subject to gambling regulation. After a deeper review, the regulator confirmed that suspicions had gained enough traction to warrant legal action.

The NFT Model That Sparked Controversy

The heart of the dispute lies in NFTs that give holders access to a lottery‑style ticket purchase process. These “right‑to‑buy” 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.

FIFA faces criminal complaint from Swiss gambling authorities over its NFT platform FIFA Collect: pic.twitter.com/oBC90b78W2

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Gespa argues that since users pay for these tokens and the rewards 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.

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

How FIFA Built Its Token Ecosystem

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‑based layer‑1 network to better support token sales and scalability.

The right‑to‑buy mechanism is operated in collaboration with Modex Tech Ltd., a blockchain infrastructure provider behind FIFA’s collectible systems. FIFA defends the model by arguing the tokens help manage overwhelming ticket demand and give fans a new way to engage.

Some media outlets estimate that RTB token sales have already brought in roughly $15 million. However, FIFA has not publicly verified these totals.

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Gespa’s Next Move and What FIFA Faces

If Gespa’s review finds that these NFTs violate Swiss gambling laws, it must escalate the case to criminal prosecutors. The regulator has told the media that FIFA Collect may be functioning as an unlicensed gambling operator by Swiss standards.

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Gespa’s director, Manuel Richard, told reporters that the regulator had validated its suspicions under gambling statutes and would refer the case to prosecuting authorities. Meanwhile, FIFA has yet to issue an official response. It now faces the challenge of defending whether its RTB system is a form of ticketing or an act of gambling under Swiss law.

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Why This Case Could Reverberate Globally

This legal confrontation could set a template for how governments treat tokenized access and NFT‑based ticketing around the world. If FIFA loses, other sports bodies, event organizers, and blockchain ticket platforms might find themselves in regulatory crosshairs.

Blockchain ticketing was once seen as a way to reduce fraud, improve access, and modernize event systems. But when elements of chance, payment, and resale converge, the line between collectible and betting blurs.

In Switzerland, courts will need to decide if these “tokens” are simply digital perks or if they cross the legal boundary into gambling. Everyone working at the intersection of blockchain and real-world events will closely watch the verdict.

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Key Takeaways

Swiss regulator Gespa has filed a criminal complaint against FIFA Collect, claiming its NFT ticket vouchers function like gambling tools under national law.

The complaint targets FIFA’s “right‑to‑buy” NFT model, where users pay upfront and hope to win access to World Cup tickets based on chance.

Gespa says the NFTs combine elements of sports betting and lotteries, which would require licensing that FIFA Collect does not hold.

FIFA’s system, built with Modex and recently migrated to Avalanche, has reportedly brought in around $15 million from token sales.

This case could actively shape global rules for NFT-based ticketing, particularly those involving payments and elements of chance.

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