WILLEMSTAD – With the introduction of the new National Ordinance on Games of Chance (LOK) set to take effect by the end of 2024, Curaçao is significantly strengthening its oversight of the online gambling sector. The Curaçao Gaming Authority (CGA) will play a central role, with broad powers to combat money laundering and the financing of terrorism. On Wednesday afternoon, members of the justice sector were briefed on the upcoming changes.
During a meeting attended by representatives from the Public Prosecution Office, the Financial Intelligence Unit, and the Joint Criminal Investigation Team, the CGA presented the reformed regulatory structure. Under the new LOK, the CGA becomes the sole authority responsible for issuing online gambling licenses. According to the CGA, all applicants will be subject to an extensive integrity screening process. This includes checks on the origin of funds, shareholder backgrounds, and the credentials of compliance officers.
If there is any suspicion of involvement in money laundering, fraud, or other criminal activities, the CGA is required to deny or revoke a license. Oversight does not end once a license is issued—operators are required to submit regular reports on transactions, incidents, and internal policies. The CGA will assess whether anti-money laundering policies are being followed and has enforcement powers to intervene in case of violations.
Concerns Over Capacity
However, concerns were raised about whether the CGA has the capacity to handle the demands of the new oversight model. With an estimated 1,000 license applications and only around twenty staff members, participants questioned the authority’s ability to conduct thorough due diligence and maintain consistent oversight. For comparison, the Dutch Gambling Authority needed a team of 100 employees to process just 22 online gambling licenses in one year.
The CGA’s enforcement measures range from issuing warnings and fines to revoking licenses. In cases of serious violations, the CGA will work closely with the Public Prosecution Office. A key legal principle in this cooperation is ne bis in idem—ensuring that administrative and criminal penalties are not imposed simultaneously for the same offense. To streamline coordination, the CGA aims to formalize agreements with justice partners through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
The CGA expects to process several hundred applications in the short term. Since late 2023, approximately 1,000 applications have been submitted. The authority, currently staffed by a team of just over twenty, is also focusing on international cooperation, particularly when dealing with online operators serving foreign players. In such cases, action by the CGA may require prior rulings from foreign regulatory bodies.
As the reforms take shape, the government hopes that the new structure will boost Curaçao’s credibility in the global online gambling industry, while protecting against abuse and financial crime.
