WILLEMSTAD - Tax revenues from the lottery sector in Curaçao have significantly declined in recent years, indicating a possible growth in the illegal lottery market. This issue is becoming increasingly urgent and has major financial consequences for the government, according to the Ministry of Finance. 

From January to May 2024, the government received only 1.9 million guilders from lottery sales, with nearly eight hundred thousand coming from sales tax (OB). These figures are in stark contrast to previous years: 2.8 million was generated in the same period in 2017, 3.6 million in 2018, and even 3.9 million guilders in 2019. A significant decline is noticeable starting from 2020, possibly caused by both illegal lottery sales and the Covid pandemic. 

Legal Requirements 

According to a report from the Ministry of Finance, many lottery sales do not meet the legal requirements of the Fundashon Wega di Number Kòrsou (FWNK). Additionally, tax obligations are often not met, such as the payment of OB on the sale of lotteries without a license. 

FWNK does not have its own inspection department. Therefore, in 2017, a task force was established, consisting of members from the foundation's Tax Accountants Bureau SBAB and the Ministry of Economic Development MEO, to combat the declining revenues of FWNK. This task force aims to ensure that tax revenues from lottery sales go to the tax office. A nine percent sales tax is levied on every transaction. 

In May 2024, no inspections were carried out, so the sale of illegal lotteries was not detected. However, as announced in the April 2023 report, necessary measures will be taken when illegal lottery sales are found.