WILLEMSTAD – In a letter to Parliament, Omar Gill has called for urgent clarity and action regarding unresolved banking restrictions affecting Curaçao’s lottery sector since 2019. Local banks had announced that they could no longer offer accounts to lottery operators, citing the risk of losing their licenses with correspondent banks. Although the government had promised a solution, no concrete steps have been taken to date.
Gill's letter questions the government's inaction: "What are the reasons why the administration has not created a solution after the closure of our sector's bank accounts?"
The banking restrictions have severely impacted the sector. Businesses have struggled with administrative and logistical hurdles, including managing cash flow and ensuring security. Additional expenses to maintain operations have further strained these companies. Moreover, employees directly or indirectly earning their livelihood from the lottery sector have faced significant challenges.
The inability to open bank accounts has limited workers' access to basic financial services, such as securing loans, purchasing items in installments, or obtaining guarantees. These barriers have amplified the sense of exclusion from the island's broader economy among affected workers.
Gill highlighted the silence surrounding the issue, noting that it has left many with a "bitter taste." Workers expressed feeling neglected and overlooked by the government. "It feels like our sector is not part of Curaçao's economy," shared some employees who approached Gill.
In his letter, Gill urged Parliament to take the matter seriously, demanding transparency and accountability for the promises made. He posed specific questions to Parliament to shed light on the status of the government's commitments to resolve the situation and provide relief to the sector and its workers.
The ongoing issue underscores the urgent need for government intervention to ensure fair treatment and integration of all economic sectors into the island’s financial system.