WILLEMSTAD - Opposition Member of Parliament Suzy Camelia-Römer (MAN-PIN) is demanding clarity from acting Minister of Finance Charles Cooper (MFK) regarding reports that the execution of the National Ordinance on Games of Chance (LOK) may soon be transferred from the Ministry of Finance to the Ministry of Justice.

Camelia-Römer formally submitted her questions in preparation for a parliamentary question hour on the current “Online Gaming Situation.” She asked whether the government indeed intends to make the Justice Minister responsible for implementing the LOK — and if so, when Parliament can expect the legislative amendment that would make such a transfer legally possible.

The issue surfaced after reports indicated that the Curaçao Gaming Authority (CGA) — still officially known as the Gaming Control Board (GCB) — had been removed from the authority of the Finance Ministry. This was later confirmed by a government spokesperson, who referred to a national decree dated August 19, published only this week, confirming the administrative shift that occurred two months ago.

The LOK, which was approved by Parliament in December 2024, officially entered into force on December 24 of that year. Under the law, the Minister of Finance is explicitly designated as the official responsible for its execution. This includes appointing members of the CGA’s Board of Directors and recommending candidates for the Supervisory Board (RvC) for appointment by national decree.

Camelia-Römer pointed out that the Council of Advice (RvA) had previously warned the government against granting the Finance Minister full authority over these appointments, recommending that the draft law be amended to ensure proper checks and balances. However, the appointments proceeded regardless.

The MP also questioned reports that the entire Supervisory Board of the CGA/GCB resigned in mid-September 2025. “If true, did these resignations occur according to a succession plan?” she asked, noting that the former commissioners are no longer registered with the Chamber of Commerce.

Camelia-Römer has requested that Minister Cooper disclose the reasons for the mass resignation and confirm whether they were submitted in writing. If so, she asked that Parliament be granted confidential access to the relevant documents.

The questions highlight growing concern in Parliament over the governance and transparency of Curaçao’s gaming sector, especially amid the ongoing transition from the old regulatory system to the newly established Curaçao Gaming Authority under the LOK framework.