Curaçao Gambling System—Complete Guide 2023

Curaçao is known as an online gaming haven, where several hundred companies have obtained licenses thanks to the island’s simple application process. However, in September 2023, a new Compliance Ordinance on Games of Chance came into force, which has brought some changes. If you don’t know about these updated regulations, read on. We also prepared a step-by-step guide to obtaining a license and complying with regulatory requirements.

Curaçao gaming license and online gambling industry 

Curaçao’s economy highly relies on its iGaming industry, which was legalized by the National Ordinance on Offshore Hazards in 1996. Since then, the island has had almost 30 years to develop an efficient gaming license process for companies. The issuing process is simple in comparison to other countries, and it doesn’t require huge investments to get a license. This has made the country a hub for companies wishing to obtain Curaçao online casino licenses.

Who are the regulators? 

The Curaçao Gaming Control Board (GCB) is charged with licensing and supervision of the Curaçao online gaming sector on behalf of the Minister of Finance. As such, the GCB is the main licensing authority and AML/CFT supervisor for the gaming industry in Curaçao. 

The Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) is a specialized unit within the Ministry of Finance responsible for receiving, analyzing, and disseminating information related to money laundering and terrorist financing.

In September 2023, the Compliance Ordinance on Games of Chance was issued, establishing the Curaçao Gaming Authority (CGA), which has the power to  grant licenses, ensure swift enforcement of the law, and provide neutral oversight in the implementation of regulations.

Advantages of obtaining a gaming license in Curaçao

Generally, Curaçao egaming companies need to obtain a license not just for compliance reasons, but to establish their credibility and improve the reputation of the iGaming industry as a whole. Holding a license also suggests that the business is legitimate and can be trusted when opening financial accounts. 

When it comes to obtaining a license in Curaçao, there are several benefits. For example: 

• Timing: authorities can issue a license within several weeks after the application has been submitted
• All-in-one: the gaming license covers all types of gaming activities, making it easier for a company to expand its number of provided services
• Taxing: companies pay 0% corporate income tax and 2% of net gains tax

The government of Curaçao is currently working to develop an even more simplified version of the licensing process, making the procedure even cheaper. However, it’s not clear yet when the changes will be implemented.

Sumsub will be following the developments. If you want to be the first to learn about any updates to licensing requirements in Curaçao, subscribe to our newsletter.

Types of licenses

There used to be two types of licenses in Curaçao: master and sub-license. The sub-licenses could be issued by the holders of master licenses. However, with the 2023 update master license holders can’t issue new sub-licenses and are only allowed to renew the existing ones. Meanwhile, the government now issues only one type of license.

The master license holders are: 

• Cyberluck Curacao N.V. (Curacao-eGaming) #1668/JAZ.
• Gaming Curacao (GC) #365/JAZ.
• Curacao Interactive Licensing N.V. (CIL) #5536/JAZ.
• Antillephone NV #8048/JAZ.

The types of regulated gambling activities include:

• Land based casinos (National Ordinance Curaçao Casino Sector (AB 1999, no. 97));
• Wega di Number (Lottery Ordinance 1909, AB 1965, no. 85, z.g.);
• Goods Lottery (Lottery Ordinance 1909);
• Bingo (National Ordinance Games of Hazard II 1988)
• Bon ku Né (National Ordinance Games of Hazard II 1988)
• National Lottery (National Ordinance on the National Lottery 1949, PB 1965, no. 122, z.g.)
• Online Gaming National Ordinance on Offshore Games of Hazard (Landsverordening buitengaatse hazardspelen, P.B. 1993, no. 63)

Some of AML Requirements for obtaining a Curaçao online gaming license

While it’s relatively easy to obtain a Curaçao online gambling license, companies still need to meet the licensor’s requirements. This means:

• Complying with Customer Due Diligence (CDD)
• ImplementingKnow Your Customer (KYC) solution
• Identifying and reporting Ultimate Beneficial Owners (UBOs)

2023 updates

Landsverordening op de Kansspelen (LOK), also known as the Curaçao National Ordinance on Games of Chance, came into effect in September 2023. The updated regulation applies to all gambling activities and covers various aspects, such as prohibited gambling, issuance and control of licenses (including provisional ones), and responsible gambling measures.

The goals of the LOK are:

• Preventing and combating criminal activities
• The protection of participants
• Preventing and combating gambling addiction and the protection of vulnerable persons, including minors
• Safeguarding Curacao’s international reputation, especially as an i-gaming industry

Another important change that took place in 2023 is the establishment of Curaçao Gaming Authority (CGA). The organization will be responsible for granting licenses, ensuring swift enforcement of the law, and providing neutral oversight in the implementation of regulations.

Application for a license 

After a company is certain that it complies with the regulations, it should prepare all the necessary documents to obtain a license from the Governor of Curaçao or another party acting on its behalf (e.g. master licensee). The person applying on behalf of a company should provide: 

• Copy of passport
• Resume
• Certificate of good conduct
• Bank reference letter
• Utility bill
• Police clearance certificate
• Professional reference letter
• Proof of domain ownership
• Details of used software
• Copy of terms and conditions

After all this is submitted, the company should expect to get a license within six weeks.

FAQ

• What is a Curaçao online gaming (egaming) license?

  It’s a license that allows gambling companies to legally operate in multiple regions. Holding a Curaçao’s license also suggests that the business is legitimate and can be trusted when opening financial accounts.

• How do you get a casino license in Curaçao?

  A company wishing to obtain a license has to open a business in Curaçao, ensure it complies with the regulations, and collect all the necessary documents, which include:

  • Copy of passport
  • Resume
  • Certificate of good conduct
  • Bank reference letter
  • Utility bill
  • Police clearance certificate
  • Professional reference letter
  • Details of used software, marketing strategies and business plan
  • Copy of terms and conditions

• What are the different types of licenses in Curaçao?

  There used to be two types of licenses in Curaçao: master and sub-license. The sub-licenses could be issued by the holders of master licenses. However, with the 2023 update master license holders can’t issue new sub-licenses and are only allowed to renew the existing ones. Meanwhile, the government now issues only one type of license.

• How much does it cost to get a Curaçao license?

  The Curaçao gaming license cost varies depending on the company’s activity.

• What are the new rules for Curaçao gaming licenses?

  The updated regulation applies to all gambling activities and covers various aspects, such as prohibited gambling, issuance and control of licenses (including provisional ones), and responsible gambling measures. The goals of the LOK are:

  • Preventing and combating criminal activities
  • The protection of participants
  • Preventing and combating gambling addiction and the protection of vulnerable persons, including minors
  • Safeguarding Curacao’s international reputation, especially as an i-gaming industry

  Another important change that took place in 2023 is the establishment of Curaçao Gaming Authority (CGA). The organization will be responsible for granting licenses, ensuring swift enforcement of the law, and providing neutral oversight in the implementation of regulations.