WILLEMSTAD – While Curaçao’s government touts its new gambling legislation as a turning point, players worldwide continue to file large numbers of complaints against Curaçao-licensed operators.

According to independent dispute platforms, unresolved complaints against Curaçao licensees jumped 36% in 2024 to 338 cases, the highest among major offshore regulators. Rejected complaints – where cases were dismissed or left unresolved – also climbed 26% to over 3,100.

Much of this stems from Curaçao’s legacy system, where operators under “master licenses” often left players with little recourse. Even high-profile cases made headlines: in recent years, companies such as 1xBet and BC.Game faced multimillion-euro court judgments in Curaçao but failed to pay out, forcing victims to pursue lengthy legal battles.

Local advocacy group SBGOK (Stichting Belangenbehartiging Gedupeerden Online Kansspelen) has represented hundreds of victims, estimating Curaçao-licensed operators were behind more than 20,000 betting websites worldwide before the new reforms.

While the new Curaçao Gaming Authority promises stronger oversight and responsible gaming measures, critics argue that without strict enforcement and transparency, the island risks remaining a hub for unresolved disputes and financial crime.