Curaçao Announces Six-Month Extension for Provisional Gaming Licenses
The Curaçao Gaming Authority (CGA) has confirmed a six-month extension for certain provisional gambling licenses, allowing qualified operators to continue their activities until at least December 24. The announcement comes just days before the initial set of provisional licenses, issued under the National Ordinance for Games of Chance (LOK), were set to expire on June 24. Despite the new regulatory framework becoming effective this December, the CGA has decided to extend the validity of select provisional licenses issued under the previous regime.
LISTEN TO THIS ARTICLE:The extension applies to both Business-to-Consumer (B2C) entities holding the ‘Green Seal’ and Business-to-Business (B2B) licence holders operating within Curaçao. These operators are expected to receive updated documentation validating their extended provisional status by June 27.
Related: Curaçao Revamps Online Gambling Laws in Landmark ReformThe CGA stated that the extension aims to give license holders more time to meet the compliance benchmarks laid out in the jurisdiction's evolving gaming regulations. The ultimate goal is to facilitate a smooth transition from provisional to full licensing, assuming the operators demonstrate sufficient progress in meeting regulatory expectations.
Operators that received licenses on or after December 25, 2024, must be either fully compliant or show substantial advancement regarding their issued checklists. These should include new requirements introduced under the LOK framework.
The CGA emphasized that the issuance of a full license or an additional extension of up to six months will depend entirely on the operator's level of progress during the initial six-month provisional period. This approach provides a structured path for operators to align with the heightened standards while ensuring oversight remains stringent.
The newly introduced regulatory structure imposes significantly stricter conditions for both operators and suppliers. One of the key features of the updated system is the mandatory implementation of a dispute resolution portal by operators.
This platform is intended to handle customer disputes efficiently and prevent them from escalating into legal proceedings. The broader objectives of the revised framework include improving anti-money laundering (AML) controls and bolstering Curaçao's global reputation as a regulated and compliant gaming jurisdiction.
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New Licensing Scheme Faces Challenges
The rollout of the LOK has not been without challenges. Since the licensing window opened in September 2023, the CGA has dealt with an influx of applications, many of which were incomplete or failed to meet initial documentation standards.
This created delays in the evaluation and processing of new license submissions, including for B2C, B2B2C, and B2B entities. At the same time, several master licenses issued under the old regime expired, adding further complexity to the regulatory transition process.
Amid the regulatory overhaul, allegations of corruption surfaced, casting a shadow over the licensing reforms. Opposition lawmaker Luigi Faneyte from the Real Alternative Party filed a formal complaint with Curaçao's attorney general in November.
Faneyte alleged that certain gambling licenses had been granted without a valid legal foundation, which, according to him, contributed to financial discrepancies. Faneyte's complaint also referenced concerns over fraud and money laundering within the licensing system.
The CGA has firmly rejected the claims, describing its licensing procedures as comprehensive and robust. The authority maintains that the process involves careful scrutiny of all applicants and is designed to meet the highest regulatory standards.
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