WILLEMSTAD – The recent appointment of Joël Felida, 34, as President of the Audit Chamber of Curaçao has sparked significant controversy. Investigative news outlet Follow The Money (FTM) reports that Felida previously worked for trust firms linked to illegal online casinos targeting gamblers across Europe.
Felida, a legal professional, has been appointed for a five-year term to oversee the "legitimacy, efficiency, and integrity" of government policies. However, between 2021 and 2023, Felida worked for Curaçao-based trust firms Allyant and eMoore, both of which have been associated with unlicensed online gambling platforms.
Felida and the Curaçao Governor
Links to Illegal Gambling Operations
These casinos were allegedly operated by Delasport, a software provider also active in the regulated Dutch gambling market through OneCasino. According to FTM, the Bulgarian-Israeli owners of Delasport used these illegal platforms to target gamblers in Spain, Germany, Sweden, and Denmark, generating millions in unregulated revenue.
During his tenure at Allyant and eMoore, Felida was reportedly involved in managing payment systems and handling customer complaints. FTM further revealed that he forwarded warnings from Serbian and Czech authorities about investigations into these gambling operations directly to Delasport.
Curaçao’s Troubled Gambling Sector
Curaçao has long faced criticism for its role as a global hub for illegal online gambling. Trust firms like eMoore facilitate these operations by registering companies through shell entities, complicating efforts by authorities to trace ownership.
Felida’s alleged involvement with firms such as Bellona N.V. and NewEra B.V. highlights the challenges. eMoore ended its collaboration with Bellona N.V. in late 2024 due to insufficient cooperation during an internal investigation following the implementation of Curaçao’s National Ordinance on Gambling (LOK).
eMoore has previously been embroiled in scandals, including connections to Blaze, an illegal online casino accused of fraud and money laundering. In response, Finance Minister Javier Silvania directed authorities to launch investigations into these practices.
Felida being sworn in
Questions Over Felida’s Appointment
Felida’s selection as President of the Audit Chamber has raised eyebrows. He was not the preferred candidate, with two others reportedly having better qualifications, according to FTM and local sources. Despite this, the Curaçao Parliament chose Felida, who expressed gratitude for the opportunity and a commitment to promoting transparency and good governance.
The Audit Chamber has not responded to questions about Felida’s appointment or his alleged ties to illegal gambling enterprises.