WILLEMSTAD – The Curaçao Gaming Authority (CGA) in collaboration with CINEX brought together stakeholders from both the domestic and online gaming sectors for a day of dialogue, collaboration, and knowledge sharing during the seminar “Stronger Together: The Future of Gaming in Curaçao.”
The seminar welcomed representatives from casinos, lotteries, online gaming operators, service providers, compliance professionals, financial institutions, and other stakeholders from across the gaming industry. The program reflected many of the key issues currently facing the sector, ranging from complex policy matters required for Curaçao to move forward responsibly to practical operational challenges that must be addressed through regular dialogue with stakeholders and continuous improvement.
Minister of Finance Charles Cooper, also on behalf of Minister of Justice, Shalten Hato, opened the seminar with a keynote address in which he highlighted the importance of cooperation and shared responsibility in building a safe, credible, and sustainable gaming sector for Curaçao. In his remarks, the Minister emphasized the economic importance of the gaming industry and noted that, with the adoption of the National Ordinance on Gaming (LOK) and the establishment of the independent Curaçao Gaming Authority, Curaçao is entering a new phase in the development of its gaming sector—one focused on modern, transparent, and credible regulation across both online and domestic gaming. By strengthening supervision, promoting responsible gaming, and creating a clear and coherent policy framework for casinos, lotteries, and online operators alike, Curaçao aims to build a well-regulated, internationally respected sector that supports innovation, public confidence, and long-term sustainability.
Following, CGA Managing Director Cedric Pietersz outlined Curaçao’s ongoing gaming reform agenda, emphasizing the sector’s economic value, the need to address risks such as money laundering, illegal offerings, and insufficient player protection, and the importance of modernizing regulation across both domestic and online gaming. He highlighted the progress made under the National Ordinance on Gaming (LOK), while noting that implementation remains ongoing and that continued cooperation and dialogue between regulators, operators, service providers, and other stakeholders are essential to building a transparent, responsible, and internationally credible gaming sector for Curaçao.
The seminar featured breakout sessions on both online and domestic gaming, focusing on key regulatory and operational challenges. The online gaming breakout sessions addressed the implementation of the LOK framework, responsible gaming, AML challenges, and the sector’s future direction. Discussions highlighted growing expectations for Curaçao-licensed operators to manage access from restricted markets, the need to future-proof the CGA license as more countries adopt domestic regulation, and the importance of aligning local presence requirements with industry realities while supporting Curaçao’s economy.
Further discussions emphasized anti-money laundering rules, particularly as crypto and e-wallets challenge traditional monitoring approaches. The importance of clear responsible gaming protocols and practical consumer protection measures was also underlined to ensure effective player protection within an international online gaming environment.
The domestic gaming breakout sessions focused on challenges in implementing local gambling legislation, including delays in licensing processes, the impact of moratoriums on casinos and slot machines, and gaps between current regulations and the modern gambling landscape. Discussions also addressed the effects of illegal gambling, particularly the lack of effective enforcement and protection for licensed operators, and the need for stronger collaboration between authorities to combat unlawful competition.
Discussions also covered responsible gaming practices, questioning the effectiveness of current measures such as self-exclusion programs and the ability to identify vulnerable players, while emphasizing both the legal and moral responsibilities of operators. Participants also explored how to balance innovation with integrity, noting the potential role of cashless systems, as well as challenges posed by commercial pressures and inconsistent application of monitoring indicators within the sector.
According to the CGA, the seminar forms part of its continued commitment to strengthening structured dialogue with stakeholders and ensuring that Curaçao’s gaming framework evolves in step with international developments. The insights gathered during the seminar will help inform ongoing policy development, regulatory improvements, and the practical implementation of the LOK. By fostering collaboration and maintaining an open exchange with the sector, the CGA aims to build a transparent, responsible, and future-ready gaming environment that supports innovation while safeguarding integrity and public trust.
The Curaçao Gaming Authority extends its sincere appreciation to all participants, speakers, moderators, and partners whose active contributions made the seminar a success and reaffirmed the shared commitment to shaping the future of gaming in Curaçao.