WILLEMSTAD – The Dutch Ministry of Justice and Security held consultations last week with the Netherlands Gambling Authority (Kansspelautoriteit) regarding the ongoing reform of gambling legislation in Curaçao, Aruba, and Sint Maarten. The reforms are part of the broader Landspakket agreements, in which the countries work together with the Netherlands to modernize their laws and institutions.
According to a post by the Gambling Authority on LinkedIn, advisors Chanella Mackay and Fedor Meerts visited the authority on Thursday to discuss the status of the reforms and opportunities to strengthen cooperation and knowledge exchange between the Caribbean countries and the Netherlands.
“These kinds of dialogues contribute to our mission of creating a safe and responsible gambling market,” said the Gambling Authority, adding that protecting players and addressing malpractice remain key priorities.
Curaçao Takes Concrete Steps
Curaçao has already made notable progress in reforming its gambling sector. At the end of 2024, the island implemented a new National Ordinance on Games of Chance, effectively ending the longstanding master license system that allowed five license holders to issue thousands of sublicenses for online gambling.
With the new law in force, all former sublicense holders were given the opportunity in 2024 to apply for individual licenses under the updated framework. The revised regulations require operators to have their anti-money laundering (AML) policies reviewed by a newly established regulator: the Curaçao Gaming Authority (CGA).
Support from the Netherlands
The reforms are being supported by the Temporary Work Organization (TWO), a Dutch-led body that assists Curaçao, Aruba, and Sint Maarten in implementing commitments outlined in their Landspakketten. Gambling sector reform is one of several priority areas covered under these agreements.
The ultimate goal is to create a modern, transparent, and internationally compliant regulatory environment—both to protect consumers and to improve the international reputation of the islands’ gambling industries.
