Gespa Files Criminal Complaint Against FIFA Over Right to Buy Tokens

The Swiss gambling regulator Gespa has filed a criminal complaint against FIFA, alleging that the football organization’s sale of blockchain-based Right to Buy (RTB) tokens constitutes an illegal gambling service.

Good to Know

• Gespa now claims FIFA’s token sales fall under gambling and lottery law.
• The complaint follows weeks of investigation into the FIFA Collect platform.
• RTB tokens give fans the right to purchase World Cup tickets if their team qualifies.

Gespa confirmed that its legal complaint stems from a deeper review of the FIFA Collect platform, which launched in 2024 as a blockchain-based ticketing initiative. The regulator had already opened an inquiry earlier this month, saying its first assessment found no reason to close the case. After further analysis, Gespa concluded that the Right to Buy tokens could amount to both lotteries and sports betting under Swiss law.

“From a gambling law perspective, the offers in question are partly lotteries and partly sports betting (Right to Final),” read the agency statement released on October 17.

Under Swiss regulations, Gespa must report any suspected violations to criminal prosecutors and can order the offending organization to stop the activity. The regulator reportedly acted on those obligations by submitting the complaint to local authorities, according to Bloomberg.

The Right to Buy concept allows holders to purchase match tickets if their chosen national team advances to specific rounds of the tournament. While the program has reportedly generated millions in revenue for FIFA, it has also sparked controversy for its high entry costs and limited real-world benefits.

Critics argue that most holders will never redeem their tokens because few teams advance far enough in the competition. Many fans say they were drawn in by marketing that implied broader ticket access, only to discover the tokens mostly apply to the most expensive matches.

Observers warn that the system could leave thousands of buyers with worthless digital tokens once the event ends. Without residual value or a post-tournament use case, the assets function more like speculative wagers than fan collectibles — an interpretation that Gespa now appears to share.