FIFA Under Fire: Swiss Regulator Files Criminal Complaint Over World Cup NFT Rewards

FIFA is once again facing scrutiny—this time not over referees or host nations, but digital assets. The Swiss Gambling Supervisory Authority (Gespa) has filed a criminal complaint alleging that FIFA’s World Cup-themed NFT competitions could violate Switzerland’s gambling laws. According to the regulator, the NFT reward mechanisms may qualify as unregistered betting, raising questions about how blockchain-based collectibles intersect with gambling regulation.

Gespa’s filing claims that several on-chain competitions offered through FIFA’s NFT platform require users to pay for entry or participation, giving them the chance to win digital collectibles with monetary value. “Participation in the competitions is only possible in exchange for a monetary stake, with monetary benefits to be won,” the complaint states. From a legal standpoint, Gespa argues that these schemes resemble lotteries or sports betting rather than traditional digital asset sales.

While the complaint is non-binding, Gespa has offered to cooperate with prosecutors or law enforcement agencies that choose to pursue the matter. The authority itself will not initiate a case, but its position signals that the issue could escalate into a formal investigation if Swiss prosecutors take interest.

The controversy comes shortly after FIFA migrated its blockchain operations from Algorand to Avalanche, a move that reportedly boosted activity and trading volume across its NFT ecosystem. However, the shift may also have introduced new mechanics resembling randomized “drops” or “challenges,” where users pay for a chance to receive rare digital items—elements that, under Swiss law, could fall within the definition of gambling.

Gespa maintains that it only became aware of FIFA’s NFT competitions this month, suggesting that the platform’s visibility or structure has recently changed. Its rapid response underscores how regulatory agencies are becoming increasingly vigilant about the blurred lines between digital entertainment, collectibles, and wagering.

Despite the legal uncertainty, FIFA may still have a pathway to avoid a prolonged dispute. The organization could negotiate a settlement with Swiss authorities or revise its NFT distribution model to eliminate any elements resembling gambling. Such changes might include greater transparency in reward mechanics, removing monetary stakes, or separating promotional contests from collectible sales.

For now, FIFA has not commented publicly on Gespa’s allegations. Legal experts note that this case could set an important precedent for how sports organizations and Web3 companies structure their digital fan engagement platforms. If law enforcement pursues the complaint, it would mark one of the first major criminal cases testing the intersection of NFTs and gambling law in Europe.

As regulators worldwide grapple with how to classify NFTs—whether as art, investments, or games of chance—FIFA’s situation may become a defining example of how innovation in sports collectibles can collide with traditional legal frameworks.