WILLEMSTAD – Curaçao eGaming (CEG), a key player in the island's gaming industry, faces renewed allegations of corruption and misconduct in handling player disputes, following accusations from João Pedro Mar, a Portuguese player involved in a gambling conflict with Slott Casino.
Mar, who claims he was misled into losing €4,500 on the casino platform, has provided evidence suggesting that Slott Casino prominently displays a CEG license number on its website, despite CEG’s assertion that the operator lacks valid accreditation.
The Dispute: Accusations and Alleged Misconduct
The controversy began in August 2024 when Mar filed a complaint against Slott Casino through CEG’s Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) platform. He alleged that the casino, part of a network linked to Leon and Twin Casinos, allowed him to gamble despite his self-exclusion from these operators.
Mar described being targeted by LinkedIn advertisements that led him to believe Slott Casino was legal in Portugal. After losing €4,500 in one night, he sought assistance from the Portuguese Gambling Authority, only to learn the casino was unauthorized in the jurisdiction.
CEG initially acknowledged the complaint but ultimately dismissed it in January 2025, claiming the operator lacked valid accreditation. However, Mar countered that Slott Casino still publicly displays CEG’s license information at the bottom of its website, adding weight to his allegations of misconduct.
Missed Deadlines and Favoritism Allegations
Mar further accused CEG of granting undue leniency to Slott Casino during the ADR process, claiming the operator missed multiple deadlines without penalty. According to him, this indicates favoritism and raises serious concerns about conflicts of interest between CEG and the operator.
“This is blatant corruption,” Mar stated in his latest communication. “CEG is admitting to enabling illegal gambling while favoring operators like Slott, even when they are clearly in violation of laws and agreements.”
Broader Implications for Curaçao’s Gaming Industry
The allegations against CEG highlight ongoing concerns about regulatory oversight in Curaçao’s gaming sector. The island has long faced criticism for its lax approach to online gambling regulation, which has made it a hub for operators serving unregulated or illegal markets.
In recent years, international pressure, particularly from the Netherlands, has called for stricter controls and transparency within Curaçao’s gaming industry. However, cases like this suggest that progress has been limited.
A Call for Accountability
Mar’s accusations extend beyond CEG to other entities he alleges are complicit in enabling illegal gambling activities, including NeoGroup and Curaçao’s Gaming Control Board (GCB). He has vowed to expose what he describes as a “criminal enterprise,” claiming to have gathered extensive evidence implicating various stakeholders.
“Curaçao’s time as a haven for corruption in the gaming industry is coming to an end,” he declared, adding that he plans to escalate the matter to international authorities and continue exposing the issue on social media platforms like LinkedIn.
CEG and Slott Casino Silent Amid Controversy
The Curaçao Chronicle reached out to CEG and Slott Casino for comment on the allegations but received no response by the time of publication.
This case underscores the urgent need for accountability and reform in Curaçao’s gaming industry, as well as the importance of protecting players from unscrupulous operators and lax regulatory practices. Whether these allegations will spark meaningful change remains to be seen.