WILLEMSTAD – Curaçao's position as one of the world's leading offshore gaming licensing jurisdictions is facing growing competition following the launch of a new regulatory framework in Nevis aimed at attracting international online gaming operators.
According to a recent industry report, Nevis introduced its Online Gaming Ordinance in April 2025, creating the Nevis Online Gaming Authority (NOGA) as an independent regulator responsible for licensing and supervising online gaming businesses.
The report argues that Nevis is marketing itself as an alternative to Curaçao by emphasizing faster licensing timelines, lower operating costs and a simplified regulatory framework.
Unlike Curaçao's new LOK system, which requires separate licenses for B2B and B2C operations, Nevis offers a single license covering multiple gaming activities, including online casinos, sports betting, poker, lotteries, esports and Web3 gaming platforms. The report states that this unified structure is particularly attractive to operators that provide both gaming platforms and software services.
The analysis also highlights Nevis' flat annual licensing fee of €28,000, its zero percent corporate tax on foreign income and the absence of gaming taxes on revenue generated outside the federation. In comparison, Curaçao's licensing costs have increased significantly under the LOK framework, particularly for B2C operators.
Another area where Nevis is seeking to differentiate itself is banking and compliance. The report notes that St. Kitts and Nevis received regional recognition in 2025 for its anti-money laundering efforts and claims the jurisdiction is accepted by more than 500 payment service providers, an important consideration for operators serving Latin American customers.
Despite presenting Nevis as an increasingly attractive option, the report does not suggest that Curaçao is losing its relevance. Instead, it concludes that Curaçao continues to be a legitimate licensing jurisdiction with decades of experience and that its regulatory reforms are expected to strengthen its international reputation over time.
With Latin America's online gaming market projected to continue growing rapidly in the coming years, both jurisdictions are expected to compete for operators seeking a strategic base from which to serve the region.