Curaçao Gambling Licence — Key Facts
- Regulator and legal framework: Curaçao gambling licences are issued and supervised by the Curaçao Gaming Authority (CGA) under the National Ordinance on Games of Chance, known as the LOK. The new framework replaced the former master-licence and sub-licence system. Older numbers ending in 1668/JAZ, 8048/JAZ, 5536/JAZ or similar should not be treated as proof of a current licence.
- Main characteristics: The CGA issues licences directly to individual operators. A definitive B2C licence is valid for an indefinite period, but it can be suspended or revoked. It remains valid only while the operator meets regulatory requirements, pays annual fees and complies with CGA instructions. Each licence applies only to the domains and subdomains approved by the CGA.
- How bookmakers obtain it: The applicant must establish a legal entity in Curaçao, maintain its registered office there and have a resident managing director. Applications can only be submitted through the CGA licensing portal.
- Application procedure: Assessment consists of two phases:
- Phase one examines the operator’s owners, management, integrity, source of funds, tax position, financial stability and ability to pay player winnings.
- Phase two examines technical systems, game certification, AML procedures, cybersecurity, responsible-gambling measures, complaints handling and regulatory reporting.
- Each phase normally takes up to eight weeks after all documents are submitted, with a possible four-week extension.
- Operators that do not yet meet every non-critical requirement may receive a six-month provisional licence, extendable once for another six months.
- Costs: The official B2C application fee is currently €4,592, plus checks on owners and qualified shareholders. Annual B2C licence and supervision fees total €47,450. These figures can change and should be verified against the latest CGA fee policy.
- Local presence requirements: Operators must maintain real operations in Curaçao, including dedicated office space. During the first four years of the LOK framework, at least one additional key person must be based in Curaçao. From the fifth year, the general requirement increases to three key persons, subject to limited exemptions.
- Player-protection obligations: Licensees must verify customers, protect minors and vulnerable users, keep player money segregated, maintain sufficient funds for withdrawals, provide deposit limits and self-exclusion, and offer a clear complaints procedure with access to free independent alternative dispute resolution. Games and gambling systems must be tested by CGA-approved laboratories.
- Limitations in local markets: A Curaçao licence does not give a bookmaker automatic permission to operate worldwide. Operators must comply separately with the laws of every country they target. For example, it does not constitute authorization in the UAE; only businesses listed by the GCGRA are locally licensed there.
- How often review sites should update it: Licence information should be checked at least monthly, with a full legal review every three months. Update the page immediately if the CGA changes an operator’s status, adds it to the enforcement register, approves a different operator or domain, or issues new regulations.
- What every bookmaker review should show: Include the legal operator, exact licence number, approved domain, licence type, status, issue date, date last checked and a direct regulator link. Clearly distinguish indefinite, provisional, assessment in progress, suspended, expired and revoked licences. The CGA licence register should take priority when an operator’s own website displays outdated information.
