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Switzerland’s gambling regulator, Gespa, has lodged a criminal complaint accusing FIFA of running unlicensed gambling via its blockchain-based “FIFA Collect” platform. In a statement dated Oct. 17, the authority said investigations found that contests on collect.fifa.com such as “drops” and “challenges” require a monetary stake and award prizes determined by chance, placing them within Switzerland’s gambling law. Gespa said the offers amount to illegal services because they are not licensed domestically.

The regulator added that some offers qualify as lotteries, while others fall under sports betting, and referred the matter to prosecutorial authorities for a final legal assessment. Gespa noted it may assist law enforcement if requested. FIFA is headquartered in Zürich, placing the organization within Swiss jurisdiction.

How “Right to Final” works and why regulators see gambling

At the center of the probe is “Right to Final”, a $999 digital token that gives holders the right to buy a ticket for the 2026 World Cup final only if their chosen national team reaches the match. Teams offered have included Argentina, Spain, France, England and Brazil, with many options listed or sold out on FIFA Collect’s site. The product doesn’t guarantee a seat; it confers a conditional right to purchase one.

Gespa’s view is that such mechanics resemble betting because the benefit depends on a future sporting outcome; it also flagged other platform contests where winners are picked by random draw after paid entry features typical of lotteries. FIFA’s own materials describe “Right to Buy” assets as digital passes that unlock access to dedicated sales windows rather than tickets themselves.

From Algorand launch to ticket-linked NFTs

FIFA+ Collect launched in 2022, originally powered by Algorand as part of a sponsorship and tech partnership. FIFA said at the time the platform would offer affordable digital collectibles tied to its tournaments.

By early 2024, FIFA Collect was already offering “Right to Buy” perks and reward cards linked to 2026 World Cup tickets through drops and challenges, and in 2025 FIFA migrated the platform to its new “FIFA Blockchain.” Those developments, combined with Zürich-based headquarters, mean Swiss authorities can pursue the case locally while the prosecution determines whether gambling laws were breached.

Source: https://www.tbstat.com/wp/uploads/2025/10/25-10-17_medienmitteilung_fifa_collect_marketplace_en.pdf