Where Can You Operate with The New Curacao Gaming License in 2024?

We offer full packages of service to the New Curacao gaming regulation + convert your Sub-License to the new Master-License:

1. Complete package: AML policies, corporate framework, banking, and merchant service
2. Curacao company formation, compliance officer in Curacao, local director, audit, IT security checks, AML audits, packages of documents.
3. Licenses: submit application, policies and documentation, document collection.
4. IT security audit.
5. Bank accounts and merchant accounts.
6. White label and platforms.

We assist with Local directors, AML framework, Local auditors, offices, documentation, and everything you need to set up your gambling & online casino on Curacao.

1. According to the recent update from 31.12.2023
2. We will assist with obtaining licenses under the new regime, once the new regulation is announced.
3. New Gaming jurisdiction – Anjouan eGaming License. For details: [email protected] or WhatsApp us below.

Lunching 2024’s Curacao Gaming License:

Curacao is advancing its gambling sector, planning to directly license operators from November 2023. This anticipated regulatory shift, labeled “unavoidable” by Finance Minister Javier Silvania, resembles Malta’s gaming license model after our analysis.

So, what’s changing in Curacao’s licensing?
While specifics are still emerging, our examination of the new criteria and application process indicates a focus on AML and Compliance. As the licensing procedure unfolds, we’ll refine our understanding. Our offering includes a licensing package that covers AML policies, corporate setup, banking, and merchant services.

Key Requirements:

1. Licensees need ongoing information security policies. Within half a year post-license, they must submit audited security policies to the GCB, as per GCB guidelines. This audit should be by a GCB-approved auditor and repeated when GCB asks.
2. Licensees must maintain player account procedures, submitting audited policies to the GCB within six months of license receipt and when GCB requests.
3. Payment transaction policies must be consistent. Licensees will provide audited policies to the GCB within half a year of getting the license and whenever GCB inquires.
4. A continuous responsible gaming policy is crucial. Licensees should provide audited procedures to the GCB within six months and upon GCB’s request.
5. All licensee-owned games require independent lab certification for fairness.
6. Within six months of license issuance, the licensee should provide the GCB with certification proof as per the GCB’s guidelines and when asked.

Our offerings encompass all the outlined requirements, ensuring you meet the necessary conditions for a license.

GBO is a leader in the Curacao gaming licenses industry, providing services such as licensing, gaming company formation, legal and corporate assistance, with many years of experience and a proven track record of success.

1. C2B Curacao gaming license is new, adaptable, cost-effective, and supportive of gaming professionals’ needs.
2. B2B license in Curacao is for service providers to legally offer their services to other gaming operators, promoting industry expansion

We have over twelve years of experience in Curacao and other countries and have hundreds of satisfied customers. In just a few weeks, and at a minimal cost, you will be ready to launch! Meet our great expertise in dealing with the Gaming Control Board, we will help you through all the hurdles.

Last update 31.12.2023

A crucial update regarding the Curacao licensing environment.

1. The introduction of the LOK law to parliament signifies important alterations to the licensing structure in Curacao.
2. Enclosed is a document detailing the significant aspects and consequences of the LOK law. Notably, it’s imperative for sublicense holders to transition to Master licenses by the end of March to align with the New Curacao licensing requirements.
3. We recognize that these changes may prompt questions or need further clarification. Please do not hesitate to contact us for more detailed information or to address any concerns regarding the transition to the new licenses. Our team is ready to support and guide you through this important adjustment.
4. We urge you to review this information promptly and get in touch to ensure your compliance and continued operation under the New Curacao license. Your cooperation is valued, and we are here to assist in securing your updated license efficiently.

Last update 2.10.2023

Last update 16.8.2023 – what do clients do?

Changes in Curacao’s gaming rules – Things have changed in how games are regulated in Curacao. This has caused a lot of changes for gaming companies since the start of the year. People are unsure about renewing their licenses because of rumors and confusion.

How companies are reacting to license uncertainty – Because of the uncertainty, some companies are choosing to renew their Curacao licenses for only a short time, like 5 to 6 months. To be safe, many are also starting to get another type of license called the Anjouan gaming license, which is known for being fast.

What the industry thinks about having more than one license – Most people in the gaming industry now believe that companies should have at least two licenses, just in case. This way, if one license doesn’t work out, they have another one to rely on.

What is the unique service we offer? 

GBO gets you the sub-license that permits your Curaçao casino to offer the full range of egaming activities – sports gambling, roulette, table games like poker, blackjack and baccarat, as well as bingo and lottery. With our assistance, you will have in place the company structure that you need to register the license and get going. And the payment processing merchant accounts necessary for your customers’ deposits and withdrawals will be ready in reputable European EMI service providers.

Why go elsewhere, when we can do it all for you at such a great cost.

As of 2.10.2023

Fundamental Principles of Licensing

The NOOGH framework serves as the foundation for Curaçao’s licensing system, which emphasizes:

1. reducing dishonest tactics and other improper gaming behavior.
2. ensuring player safety, with a particular emphasis on protecting children, and the timely payment of winnings.
3. addressing potential dangers of gambling addiction with vigilance.
4. In order to fulfill these requirements, Curaçao emphasizes the development of a gaming environment that is:

Secure: Protecting games, associated hardware, and operational systems from potential weaknesses.
Ethical: Dedication to fair player treatment, encouragement of preventative measures against gambling addiction, and protection of the weak.
Validating the gaming provider’s dependability, resiliency, and ongoing operations.
Open: Requiring thorough, responsible, and organized recordkeeping.

According to the Curaçao Gaming Control Board (GCB),

1. The applicant’s integrity, including that of its beneficial owners, key stakeholders, and senior management.
2. The applicant’s organization’s financial stability.
3. the accessibility and player-centricity of gaming platforms.

Licensing Costs

While obtaining a license requires payment in accordance with NOOGH requirements, the specific amount is still unknown.

Integral License Requirements

• Digital Security Protocols: It is required of license holders to uphold strict digital security standards. This includes making use of tested tools and software, keeping track of your inventory, and sending the GCB periodic documentation updates.
• Verification of Games: The integrity of every game under the licensee’s control must be independently examined. Furthermore, this verification must be done for third-party game offerings. The GCB anticipates receiving these verification proofs on a regular basis.
• Operational Norms: License holders must have clear policies in place for player accounts, payment methods, and moral gaming. These protocols should be communicated to the GCB after being audited.
• Operational Terms and Player Feedback Mechanisms: License holders are required to ensure that players always have access to their terms of service and to offer a simple, affordable method of resolving player complaints.
• Annual Financial Submissions: By June 30th of each year, license holders must submit their annual financial reports to the GCB.

Regular and Critical Event Reporting: It’s imperative to produce monthly reports that capture important operational shifts. Additionally, any significant incident must be reported to the GCB within a day, providing information on security violations, system flaws, and fraudulent activities.

The Curaçao Gaming Authority (CGA) is a government agency responsible for regulating and overseeing the gaming industry in Curaçao, a small island nation in the Caribbean. The CGA is responsible for issuing licenses to gaming operators, including online casinos, sports betting companies, and other types of gaming companies.

In order to obtain a license from the CGA, gaming companies must meet certain requirements, including:

1. Having a physical presence on the island of Curaçao
2. Having a board of directors that is fit and proper to perform its duties
3. Having sufficient financial resources to operate
4. Having appropriate policies and procedures in place to prevent money laundering and other illegal activities
5. Providing the CGA with all relevant information and documents as required

The CGA also has the authority to monitor the activities of licensed gaming operators and take action if necessary to ensure compliance with laws and regulations. This may include suspending or revoking licenses, imposing fines, or taking other corrective action.

The CGA enforces the Gaming Act, which sets out the licensing requirements, regulations, and guidelines for gaming activities in the country. The CGA also acts as a mediator between operators and players, ensuring fair play and responsible gaming practices.

It’s worth noting that the regulation of the gaming industry is a rapidly evolving area, and the requirements for obtaining and maintaining a license from the CGA may change over time. It’s important for gaming companies to stay up to date on the latest developments in this area.

As a licensing jurisdiction, Curacao can only issue online gambling licenses to companies within its own jurisdiction. In Curaçao one gambling license covers all forms of online gaming so you don’t need to apply for multiple licenses for each game you offer online. One Curaçao license also covers online gaming service providers including software providers, affiliates, platform operators etc.

The Curacao e-gaming license does not specify from which countries your online e-gaming operation can accept customers. With a Curacao online gambling license, you can accept players from all countries so long as they are not specifically prohibited by your sublicense agreement or by the Curacao jurisdiction which has issued the license. 

In which countries is online gambling legal?

Unless there are specific laws against online gambling, it is possible to engage in e-gaming from the majority of the 200+ countries in the world. 

The prohibitions on Curaçao gambling license countries’ external jurisdictions take four main forms. 

In the first place, there are countries that totally ban online gambling for their own citizens, regardless of where the e-gaming operation is based. These include the United Arab Emirates, Brunei, Cambodia, North Korea, Japan, Singapore, Cyprus, and Qatar.

Many other countries prohibit access from their own country to foreign online gaming sites, mainly to protect their own local gaming operators. These include Georgia, Sri Lanka, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Romania, Spain, UK, USA and Panama.

In some of them, there are prohibitions inside their own jurisdictions, so that citizens cannot engage with local operators. This group includes Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Moldova, Monaco, Norway ,Montenegro, Portugal, San Marino, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, Canada, Dominica, and Dominican Republic. However, there is nothing prohibiting them from engaging with a Curacao-based online gaming operator.

Finally, Curacao prohibits access for its own citizens, and there are some specific countries that have treaties with Curacao that include restrictions prohibiting online gambling. These include the USA, the Netherlands, France, Dutch West Indies, and Australia.

It is the duty and responsibility of the license holder to check that customers are not accessing the Curacao gaming operation from prohibited jurisdictions. Regular checks are made by the Curacao Gaming Control Board as a part of the AFL/CFT supervision of all gaming sectors operating in and from Curacao, which includes the online gaming sector.

Curacao Gaming License Cost

Wondering about Curacao gaming license prices? Here are our fees:

* Prices may change

What are the advantages of a Curacao Gaming license?

Online gaming is a highly regarded business form in Curaçao. GBO has many years of experience in establishing Curacao eGaming operations and can give you all the assistance necessary to set up the required corporate infrastructure, source the best gaming platform, obtain the necessary Curacao licensing and establish all of the banking, payment processing and merchant accounts that a casino needs to operate properly.

Curacao enjoys special legal, banking and finance rights and privileges because in 2010 with the dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles, it chose to remain a constituent  within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. As such, its corporate laws were derived from and still remain very similar to those applicable to EU regulations. 

Banking is easier in Curacao

Banks inside the EU are able to accept corporate customers based in Curacao, establish payment processing facilities, IBAN accounts and all the other necessary banking features that a modern online casino needs.

Curacao has three official languages – Dutch, English, and the Caribbean dialect. This makes establishing and managing a company in Curacao much easier than can be the case in other jurisdictions like those in Eastern Europe that accept only their own language in company registration and reporting.

Establishing a corporate entity will be simple

Limited liability companies established in Curacao are designated with the legal entity abbreviation N.V. the same as in The Netherlands itself. The same general rules that apply in The Netherlands apply to them with regard to company management and distribution of profits. The net profits of a Curacao gaming company can be declared as a dividend or reserved in accumulated profits for later distribution. Dividends from Curacao companies are taxed at the same rate in the EU as dividends on all EU corporations.

N.V. companies that have been registered in the e-Zone on the island (the specially designated area for promotion of business development) are subject to a low corporate tax on profits of only 2%. There is no VAT on gaming revenue. With GBO’s guidance, your holding company will enjoy these strong benefits from the start.

A Curacao online casino offering games such as Blackjack, Slots, Video games, Poker, Lotto and other gaming-related activities only requires a single Curaçao gaming license instead of having to obtain a separate license for each individual activity. This makes the cost of obtaining a Curaçao license lower than in other jurisdictions.

Curacao has friendly gaming regulations for operators

Curaçao has an IT infrastructure that offers a wide array of services for online gaming operators and providers, such as high-capacity private racks, private cloud services, customized servers as well as other hosting options.

Curacao does not impose any betting tax. In many other countries, casino operators have to withhold a proportion of the winnings of their customers as a gaming tax. In Sweden, gambling tax at a rate of 18% is levied on the proceeds of gambling. In the UK, operators who supply remote gambling to UK customers must deduct general betting duty (GBD), pool betting duty (PBD) and remote gaming duty (RGD) on a consumption basis. In Curacao, there is no tax on net gaming revenue, only on corporate profits.

Are there any disadvantages to the Curacao gaming license?

The disadvantages are minimal, and derive mostly from the dependence of sub-license holders on the Master license holder. 

There are two types of online gaming licenses issued by the Curacao Gaming authority, the master license and the sub-license. Both allow gaming operators to offer the full range of gambling services to the public, but only a master licensee is able to sell sub-licenses and the validity of the sub-license is dependent on the master license.

Master licenses are approved solely at the discretion of the Minister of Justice, and it is not possible to obtain a new master license. As long as the master license remains valid, the sub-license has the same rights to perform e-gaming activities in a legitimate manner.

Are there any countries from which players cannot access a Curacao online gambling site?

curacao gambling license restricted countries – There are very few specific restrictions on the validity of the Curacao gaming license in individual countries. A Curacao licensee cannot accept players from just a few countries, specifically the USA, France, Australia, the Netherlands, and Curacao itself. However, there is no oversight beyond the standard KYC AML and CFT regulations that apply to all the other registered online casinos worldwide. It is not the responsibility of the Curacao casino to trace players that register themselves from neutral countries and access the website via VPN connections.

How to get a Curacao Gaming license

In order to qualify for holding a sub-license, companies must meet certain criteria:

• Compliance with Due Diligence and KYC policies
• Full identification of Ultimate Beneficial Owner (UBOs)
• Satisfactory reference on UBOs
• A detailed and transparent description of the games to be offered.

The sub- license is obtained from a holder of one of the four master gaming license holders. The sub-license grants all of the necessary rights to operate in the Netherlands Antilles and offer your players the following services:

• Sports Betting
• Casino Games
• Bingo
• Slot Machines
• Video Poker
• Other card games
• Lotteries

The license can only be held by a company registered in Curaçao with a local bank account.

You should let GBO’s team of experts with over twelve years of experience be your guides. We can ensure a complete and affordable setup that will get you operating is just a few weeks.