Swiss regulator investigates FIFA blockchain ticket tokens in a possible gambling breach of the sale of tickets to the World Cup 2026.
A preliminary investigation into FIFA to determine the authenticity of their blockchain-based ticket tokens during the 2026 World Cup was initiated by the Swiss gambling regulator Gespa. The probe will be conducted to identify whether these tokens are in breach of the regulations of gambling in Switzerland.
FIFA has implemented the use of tokens, which give fans the right to buy a ticket in the event that their preferred team qualifies.
Created in a collaboration with blockchain company Modex Tech Ltd., these tokens can be traded on the FIFA NFT market, raising concerns with regard to speculative factors.
FIFA is estimated to have made approximately 15 million dollars from these sales. Financial FIFA is likely to earn 11 billion dollars due to the 2026 World Cup.
Blockchain Tickets or Gambling?
Director of Gespa Manuel Richard declared the token sales to be possibly applicable to the gambling laws. The tokens give conditional rights to buy tickets depending on the outcome of the match, as a lottery. This is a structure that consists of uncertainty and speculation, and has led to regulatory examination.
The resale aspect of the tokens presents the financial risk of the tokens as gambling. Although no complaints have been lodged, Gespa is having a fact-finding exercise to determine whether or not regulatory intervention should be done. FIFA refused to provide comments on the investigation.
The Future of Tokenizing Ticketing.
This study points to possible regulatory issues of blockchain and crypto solutions in sport ticketing.
The ticketing system created by FIFA on the basis of the Avalanche infrastructure is expected to transform how tickets are distributed across the world. FIFA could be capped or forced to change the system in case it is found to violate the laws of gambling.
The investigation is a landmark in the regulation of the digital collectible in relation to gambling regulations worldwide, especially where speculative aspects are at play.