WILLEMSTAD – Starting Thursday, April 10, all licensed gaming operators in Curaçao must comply with the island’s anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorism financing (CTF) legislation. To ensure proper enforcement, the Curaçao Gaming Authority (CGA) has launched a formal verification process to assess each operator’s AML/CTF policy.
License holders were given more than six weeks to submit their AML and CTF compliance policies to the CGA, demonstrating that they are meeting the new legal standards. As of the April 10 deadline, these policies must be in place and aligned with the law.
To assist operators, the CGA provided a detailed policy template outlining all required components. The template includes subject areas that must be addressed in AML/CTF policies, along with brief explanations to guide proper implementation.
Gaming operators already licensed in Curaçao, as well as those with pending license applications, have until May 30, 2025, to upload their finalized AML policies to the CGA’s official online portal.
Dutch Concerns Over Money Laundering
The tightened regulatory approach follows mounting concerns from the Netherlands about money laundering within Curaçao’s gaming sector. In November 2024, Dutch MP Michiel van Nispen submitted a parliamentary motion urging the Dutch government to consult with Curaçao on strengthening rules and oversight in the industry.
Van Nispen cited money laundering and the blurred lines between the underworld and the legitimate economy as serious issues. While Curaçao passed its new National Ordinance on Games of Chance shortly after the motion was introduced, the legislation did not include the additional regulatory tightening called for by the Dutch parliament.
Curaçao Removed from EU Tax Grey List
Meanwhile, Curaçao received a boost earlier this year when the European Union removed the country from its grey list of non-cooperative tax jurisdictions. The EU recognized that Curaçao had sufficiently reformed its tax policies, lifting the island from enhanced scrutiny.
The EU’s grey list includes jurisdictions that have committed to reforms but have not yet fully met EU tax standards. Curaçao’s removal from the list signals progress in aligning with international norms—a key step as the island works to improve its reputation in financial regulation and gaming oversight.
