Curacao Gaming Licence 2025 A Comprehensive Guide

Curacao is a Dutch Caribbean island located in the Southern Caribbean Sea and a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The Curacao government regulates online gambling and issues Curacao gambling licenses to worthy applicants. Today, there are about 450 licensed gambling operators from within Curacao, making it a world-famous licensor. A gaming (gambling/betting) license is a legal document that grants its holder permission to carry out some or all kinds of online gambling activities from within a jurisdiction.

In case of any discrepancy or conflict between this translated version and the Dutch version, the Dutch version shall take precedence. Let’s talk about how we can help you build a stronger, future-proof gaming business. With these changes in place, you can gain a competitive edge in the regulated market.

AML/CFT programs, technical audits, and quarterly reports are now standard obligations.– Market restrictions apply. Services cannot be offered to users in the USA, UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Australia, FATF-blacklisted states, or Curaçao.– License renewals and audits are annual. The license is valid for 5 years, but subject to yearly oversight and possible audit requests.– Reputation varies with PSPs. Despite reforms, some PSPs and banks still apply extra due diligence when onboarding Curaçao-based platforms.– CGA holds enforcement power. Licenses can be suspended or revoked for noncompliance—appeals must follow formal procedure.– Legacy sub-licensees must reapply.

• The new Curacao gaming regulation establishes a transition period for operators holding licenses issued under the old regime of National Ordinance on the Games of Hazard (NOOGH).
• Despite the law allowing for any entity to obtain a licence, in reality, only four master licence holders existed.
• While operators in Curacao are still required to pay tax on their profit, the tax rate is significantly low compared to other established jurisdictions and in line with international standards.

If you hold one, you must transition to the new system before your license expires to continue operating legally. The biggest change in 2025 is the introduction of separate licenses for B2C operators (who provide gaming services to players) and B2B suppliers (who provide technology or services to operators). According to the Curaçao Gaming Control Board, these changes are meant to increase transparency, prevent fraud, and ensure fair play, bringing Curaçao in line with global regulatory expectations.

Curacao underwent a long process of changes before this major event and now a new era of Gaming regulation has begun. For your overview we provide a brief timeline of the historical regulation of the Curaçao gaming license and some recent developments at the end of this article. Operation under a sub-licencePreviously, iGaming businesses could opt for cheaper sub-licences from master licence holders. This was a budget-friendly option for businesses of all sizes, allowing for a quick and relatively affordable market entry.

All foreign documents must be apostilled or consular-verified, and all policies must be provided in English or Dutch. Aristocrat Leisure Limited’s FY2024 Report reveals strong financials, strategic growth, and innovative products, securing its leadership in the global iGaming and entertainment sector. We aim to provide our visitors with all the information they need to make informed decisions about our services and build a strong relationship with our team. The entire process, from the initial consultation to the final approval and issuance of the license, typically takes 6 months. If the founders are not physically in Curaçao, they can sign via power of attorney.

Curaçao Gaming License 2025: New LOK Regulations, Requirements & Fees

For operators trying to figure out how to start an online gambling website in this jurisdiction, here are the steps to follow. However, under the new National Ordinance on Games of Chance (LOK) framework, licenses are now issued for an indefinite period, subject to compliance with regulatory requirements. You must incorporate in Curaçao, appoint a local director, and maintain a real presence—not just a PO box.– Compliance demands have increased.

The goal of this process is to confirm the applicant’s reputation, financial stability, security, and policies in line with regulatory standards. An initiative we launched with the goal to create a global self-exclusion system, which will allow vulnerable players to block their access to all online gambling opportunities. The application for a Curaçao eGaming license in 2025 follows a structured, centralized process through the Curaçao Gaming Authority (CGA). Applicants must prepare all required documents before submission, as incomplete filings are not reviewed. If the legislation of your country prohibits the use of this kind of content or services, or you have not reached the age of majority, then refrain from using our website.

Curacao has been a business haven for online gambling operators for several years. Online gaming has been formally legalized in this jurisdiction since 1993, with Curaçao enacting the National Offshore Gambling Decree. This was one of the earliest laws created to govern the gambling industry which was still quite young at the time. If you are planning to legally conduct an online gambling business in this jurisdiction or gain access to other international markets, you need to understand the Curacao Gaming license and how to obtain it. In this section, we will explain what the Curacao online gambling license is and provide some historical context into the industry.

However, in Curacao’s case, there are already clear foundational principles and the overall direction for the jurisdiction’s future. An ambitious project whose goal is to celebrate the greatest and the most responsible companies in iGaming and give them the recognition they deserve. Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

For many years, gambling licenses in Curaçao operated under the National Ordinance on Offshore Games of Hazard (NOOGH). In 2023, the Curaçao government announced a new gambling framework, the National Ordinance for Games of Chance (LOK), which replaced NOOGH with the Curaçao Gaming Authority (CGA). The new regulatory body oversees online gambling licenses in Curaçao under the LOK, which officially takes effect in 2025.

Recent Developments in Curacao’s Licensing Framework

License supports casino games, sports betting, lotteries, and skill-based formats, subject to technical review. Curaçao has been issuing online gambling licenses since 1996, making it one of the earliest jurisdictions to regulate digital betting and casino operations. The original framework was built around four master licenses, granted by the government to private entities. These master license holders were then authorized to issue sub-licenses to third-party operators. Blessed with a rich maritime heritage and a history of licensing blockchain and online gaming ventures, Curaçao has become a leading offshore iGaming jurisdiction. Its regulatory framework combines licensing flexibility with growing emphasis on technical compliance, fair play, and oversight.

The Curacao Gaming License remains one of the most commercially practical options for iGaming operators seeking rapid launch capability and multi-vertical flexibility—particularly in emerging markets. Its unified structure, cost-efficiency, and operational freedom support fast deployment. In each phase, once all necessary documents are submitted, the CGA aims to process the application within eight weeks. If more time is required, the process may be extended by up curacao casino to four weeks in each phase. This is quite a rare and unusual sight, as the gambling industry is one of Curaçao’s most profitable industries. Any long-term disturbance will not only affect the regulator’s reputation but also disrupt its daily operations.

The GCB only issues licenses to companies that are registered as legal entities in Curacao. To obtain a license, offshore gaming companies have to go through the standard process of Curacao company incorporation and this includes opening a local office in Curacao. This makes the Curacao license a reasonable choice for entrepreneurs who want to go live as quickly as possible. The cost of a Curaçao eGaming license includes an application fee of approximately €4,600 and annual CGA fees starting from €24,600. Other expenses include company incorporation, local staffing, and compliance setup. Operating under a license ensures that an iGaming project complies with taxation laws, contributing to the economy of the licensing jurisdiction.

Applicant companies will be required to provide the regulator with clear and transparent information about their structure. In mature markets, some players and partners prefer licences from regulators perceived as stricter (e.g., MGA, Isle of Man). With complete documentation, approval timelines are often achievable within weeks, commonly cited in the industry as around 4–8 weeks, though this varies by applicant readiness and regulatory reforms. This form must be completed by independent gaming test houses wishing to obtain a valid certificate to offer Alternate Dispute Resoultion Service Providers to operators licenced in Curaçao. This form must be completed by independent gaming test houses wishing to obtain a valid certificate to offer testing facilities to operators licenced in Curaçao. If the application is rejected, the applicant can file an objection with the CGA or appeal to the Court of First Instance of Curaçao.

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. Moreover, all licensing costs do not include preparation expenses such as obtaining the necessary certificates, setting up an office in Curacao, or legal assistance. During this time, they meticulously examine all submitted documents, evaluate the company’s financial health, verify certificates, and assess AML practices. Given the legal context, staying informed about current requirements is key to ensuring compliance and effective adaptation to potential changes.

Curaçao is an island in the southern Caribbean Sea, part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, with a population exceeding 160,000. The island has a diverse economy, with key sectors including tourism, international trade, and financial services. Curaçao is known for its multilingual population, with Dutch, English, and Papiamentu as the official languages. The Curaçao Gaming Authority (CGA) is a foundation established on April 19, 1999, to regulate the gaming industry in Curaçao. This initiative followed the second Mutual Evaluation Report of the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force in 1998. The CGA was officially designated as the regulatory body with the enactment of the National Ordinance on Games of Chance on December 24, 2025.

Once the forms have been filled, the required documents are uploaded into the application portal. The B2B license is for companies that provide their services to other businesses in the gambling industry. Examples of companies that need this license include software providers, game developers, aggregator platforms, and so on. Before the new legislation was introduced in 2024, Curacao’s licensing system involved two types of licenses. A master license was issued to operators who could then offer sub-licenses to others. This licensing regime ended in 2024 and Curacao now offers licenses directly to operators through a transparent and stringent system.

Here in this guide, we aim to provide you with all the essential details for a thorough understanding of its current state, possibilities, and application process. To get the best out of this market, it is best to partner with software development experts like CrustLab to bring your ideas to life and assist you with the process of obtaining a Curacao gaming license. Contact us for help navigating both the ethical and regulatory needs of your project. 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.

Curaçao Prime Minister Gilmar Pisas is the new head of the Gaming Control Authority (GCA). The development came to light recently, following the resignation of the entire supervisory board. The abrupt change in leadership comes at a time when the gambling watchdog is undergoing a massive overhaul. By submitting this form, you hereby authorize Inteliumlaw to process your information for the purpose of addressing your inquiry. The accumulated experience and tracking of future changes in this area allow us to be proactivefor our clients and develop the most adapted business structures to modern conditions.