WILLEMSTAD – The bankruptcy filing by football club Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) against AK Global, a Curaçao-based company, has been upheld by the Curaçao court. This confirmation contradicts earlier statements by the Minister of Finance, who dismissed the news as fake and harmful to the island’s reputation.
According to a ruling by the Court of First Instance of Curaçao, AK Global was officially declared bankrupt on January 23. The court determined that AK Global has multiple unpaid debts and is unable to meet its financial obligations. The bankruptcy petition was filed by PSG on November 14, 2024, and was addressed in a hearing on January 22, where AK Global failed to appear to contest the claim.
Ministerial Denials
The Minister of Finance previously asserted that AK Global had no direct ties to the Gaming Control Board (GCB), which oversees gaming licenses in Curaçao. He labeled the reports as fake news and warned of potential reputational damage to the island. The minister called for an end to what he described as “negativism” in public discourse.
Links to Gambling Activities
However, the court ruling reveals that PSG, through AK Global, was actively involved in gambling activities in Curaçao. PSG had previously partnered with Cbet, a platform operated by AK Global under a sublicense from Gaming Services Provider. This license expired in August 2024, as confirmed by the Gaming Control Board.
Regulatory Oversight Under Scrutiny
The situation raises questions about AK Global’s role and the effectiveness of regulatory oversight in Curaçao’s gaming sector. Despite ministerial denials, legal documents validate PSG’s claim, citing AK Global’s gambling activities as the basis for the bankruptcy filing.
This development not only highlights the financial collapse of AK Global but also sheds light on broader concerns regarding Curaçao’s gaming industry and its regulatory practices.