Curacao Gaming Authority License Management Portal

But it started in November 2023 and the last license from Masters was issued by March 2024. Expectedly, the new regulation which came into full effect towards the end of 2024 had significant implications for the gambling industry. In 2023, Curacao initiated a complete overhaul of its gambling system, which until then had been quite liberal. The change came with the introduction of an entirely new gambling law known as the National Ordinance on Games of Chance and a rebranding of its regulatory agency (Curacao Gaming Authority).

We map your verticals to the correct scope and compliance controls before submission. You should discuss this with a GBO officer in order to negotiate a final quote and contract for the full services. To get in touch with us, please use our online form to submit your request or send us an email. With our support, you can launch or expand your Curacao-licensed operation smoothly, backed by clear guidance and professional expertise every step of the way. Thus, complying with the newly introduced regulations can be a challenging task for new casinos. Companies must be registered on the island and must appoint a trustworthy local managing director.

• Master licenses will no longer be issued, and only the new licensing format through the Curacao Gaming Authority will remain on the market.
• Furthermore, Curaçao’s crypto-friendly environment allows operators to leverage digital currencies, expanding their reach in the modern gaming landscape.
• For example, a Malta license typically takes up to a year, but in some cases, it may take 18 months or 2 years or even 3 years.
• Time is the ultimate judge of how the industry will evolve going forward due to the new regulations.

The goal of the new licensing framework is to eliminate the master and sub-licensing regime currently in place and contribute towards creating a more robust and stricter licensing regime. LOK differentiates between B2B and B2C licenses and will lead to the establishment of a new regulator, the Curaçao Gaming Authority (CGA). Regulatory structure — Opt for licensing that emphasises stringent regulations, consumer safety, ethical gaming practices, and measures against financial fraud which can guarantee safety for both players and your business.

In this section, we will explain what the Curacao online gambling license is and provide some historical context into the industry. Since the nineties, Curaçao has been the go-to place for many casino operators. The Dutch Caribbean island has become a symbol of licensing efficiency and value by offering the most appealing package in the online gaming industry.

To ensure an effective transformation, existing holders of Curacao sub-licences have an interim period within which they can switch to the new licence category. With any transition comes a phase of uncertainty, where outcomes are often unpredictable. However, in Curacao’s case, there are already clear foundational principles and the overall direction for the jurisdiction’s future. 2023 marked a significant year, with many anticipated changes finally coming to fruition. Among these, the updates to the Curacao gaming licence particularly stand out.

This legislation introduces a direct government licensing system under the Curaçao Gaming Authority (CGA), enhancing transparency and compliance in the iGaming sector. You need between 3 and 6 weeks to obtain a license from the Curacao Gambling Control Board. Please remember that you do not need to open a local representation office or hire resident employees for your company. With that in mind, if success is your goal, staying flexible and adaptable becomes exceptionally vital. This form must be completed for all types of application submissions and must signed by an official represenative of the company.

The standard fee is ANG 120,000 (€61,200) per year, with monthly installments of ANG 10,000 (€5,100). In the current iGaming era, the question of licence acquisition is beyond any debate. Today’s brands, even aspiring ones, rarely limit themselves to one jurisdiction. A worldwide society is leaning towards broader acceptance of gambling as a form of safe entertainment, calling for enhanced security – a factor which is highly influenced by licensing. If you already hold a Curacao licence and manage your own merchant operations, leveraging the Turnkey Casino Platform can be a strategic play. This option is particularly valuable for seasoned operators seeking a reliable yet adaptable solution.

In 2023, the jurisdiction upgraded its gambling laws, providing even more flexibility to online gaming operators and improving protection for players. Curacao’s rising fees will challenge operators to plan more carefully in 2025. The starting cost of EUR 55,000 requires a larger financial commitment for obtaining a license.

The biggest shift in the gambling regulations has been aimed at creating a new tightly regulated gambling market with more stringent rules but improved protection for players and gaming operators. Curacao was one of the first jurisdictions to regulate online gambling in the world. As a result, this country has one of the most robust systems for iGaming licensing characterized by a favorable registration process, affordable tax, and hassle-free process. After the application has been submitted, the Gaming Control Board will carry out due diligence to verify the information and documents submitted by the applicant. The goal of this process is to confirm the applicant’s reputation, financial stability, security, and policies in line with regulatory standards. The GCB only issues licenses to companies that are registered as legal entities in Curacao.

Knowing what a Curacao license will cost is laying the foundation for a strong gambling business. The recent changes reshaped the fee structure to make it clearer and more predictable for operators. All applications for online gaming or supplier license must be submitted via this Portal. Applications submitted outside of the portal will not be processed or considered. Companies obtaining a gambling license are required to have a registered office in Curaçao. Previously, operators could obtain a sub-license from general license holders, but with the introduction of LOK, each provider is required to obtain a license directly from the CGA.

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The current licensees will be grandfathered into a new law and will not have online casino curacao to pay the annual fee c until the first anniversary of the new rules. Malta Gaming Authority — The Malta Gaming Authority provides B2B and B2C licenses and requires operators to adhere to stringent guidelines, including regular financial disclosures and robust player data protection. Following a six-month provisional permit, compliant operators may secure a 5-year license. Operators whose GGY exceeds £1 billion must pay an application fee of £41,243 and face an annual cost of £1,077,027 plus £200,000 per additional £500 million GGY.

What Is a Curaçao Online Gambling License?

Operators are required to implement comprehensive anti-money laundering and customer vetting measures to help prevent criminal schemes and enforce fair play. Our technology expertise and industry knowledge enable us to power premium iGaming brands worldwide. Once this thorough assessment is successfully completed, the newly approved licensee is granted permission to operate under Curacao’s jurisdiction for a year. Once the forms are complete and all paperwork is in place, the candidates should upload the required documents to the portal.

The Curaçao Gaming Authority (CGA) has set an expected timeline of around 8 weeks for the review of an application. However, if additional documentation is required or if there are any complications, the review process can extend up to 16 weeks or more in some cases. In cases where hiring local key personnel or securing a dedicated business space is unfeasible, the Minister of Finance may grant a temporary two-year exemption.

Existing sub-license holders must transition to direct licensing within 12 months. Moreover, the CGA may revise fees, compliance rules, and advertising guidelines based on operator feedback and regulatory assessments. Such shared spaces must be reviewed and approved by the CGA to ensure they meet necessary operational, security, and accessibility standards. Startups and small operators may qualify for exemptions from the local presence requirement under certain conditions. Newly incorporated companies within one year of applying for a license can receive an exemption to facilitate early-stage growth. If no UBO has been linked to another gaming provider in the past two years, this measure ensures that established entities do not exploit the exemption.

FAQ: How to Get aCuraçao iGaming License

New SystemThe new rules require every business to have a full independent licence, removing the cheaper sub-licence option. Given the legal context, staying informed about current requirements is key to ensuring compliance and effective adaptation to potential changes. The Curacao gaming licence has traditionally held several advantages over other systems.

It’s hard to say for sure what impact the new gambling laws will have on Curacao’s gambling landscape. Time is the ultimate judge of how the industry will evolve going forward due to the new regulations. However, a change towards a more secure and transparent gambling ecosystem will go a long way in enhancing player trust and the overall reputation of the entire gambling industry. This will broaden the potential user base for operators while granting them access to new markets.