The Curaçao Gaming Control Board (GCB) has issued the first licenses under the island’s new regulatory system. The licenses were given out twelve weeks after the start of the application process.

Five gambling providers with the new Curaçao license

According to iGB, the first gambling providers to secure the new online casino and sports betting license from Curaçao are Rhino Entertainment Group, Games and More, Geeka Corporation, and Small House. The application process began on September 1, 2023, and the official issuance started in November 2023.

“Cedric Pietersz,” CEO of GCB, stated, “Since we opened our doors for applications less than 12 weeks ago, the volume of submissions has far exceeded our expectations. The license of White Star holds a special place in our hearts and our history. It represents a pivotal moment for the development of Curaçao as a first-class gambling jurisdiction, with many more licenses in progress.”

New license conditions: What’s changing in Curaçao?

Curaçao is transitioning from the Original National Ordinance on Offshore Games of Hazard (NOOGH) to the new National Ordinance for Games of Chance (LOK). The new gambling license for online casinos and sports betting brings some changes compared to previous regulations.

The transition demands more transparency from gambling operators applying for a license in Curaçao. When applying, they must specify whether they are a B2B or B2C company, a requirement not previously needed.

For a B2C license, providers based outside Curaçao must directly interact with players, manage player deposits, and store player data, while employing at least three staff in Curaçao. By comparison, the B2B license is for companies based in Curaçao. Additionally, the government has released new figures for license fees, with a 24,600 Euro fee for a B2C license.

Providers with an existing license under old NOOGH rules are not required to pay the full fee under the LOK rules until the anniversary of the license issuance. The monthly costs for the Curaçao license will also be reduced from 3,600 Euro to 2,050 Euro.

Gambling providers seeking a new Curaçao license must demonstrate financial stability, integrity, and a coherent overall concept. The goal is to issue new licenses exclusively to reputable and competent operators.

Stricter gambling regulations through the new Curaçao license

The stricter regulations also apply to master and sub-licenses. Under the new rules in Curaçao, a provider that previously had a master license is prohibited from sub-licensing to a third-party. Each provider must obtain their own license, facing higher costs and longer processing times.

Overall, these new regulations represent a shift towards a more tightly regulated gambling environment on the Caribbean island of Curaçao.