WILLEMSTAD – Curaçao-based entities are increasingly being drawn into international efforts to crack down on illegal online gambling, as authorities in the Netherlands expand legal action beyond operators to include supporting networks.
The latest case involves the gambling platform Lalabet, which allegedly operated illegally in the Dutch market before continuing under a different name. Dutch authorities claim that Curaçao-linked structures were instrumental in enabling these operations.
The legal strategy marks a shift. Rather than targeting only gambling websites, Nederlandse Loterij is now pursuing a broader approach aimed at dismantling the entire ecosystem, including trust offices, corporate entities, and intermediaries.
This approach reflects growing concerns about the scale of illegal gambling. Despite regulation in the Netherlands since 2021, the illegal market continues to grow, with players drawn by high bonuses and fewer restrictions.
For Curaçao, the case underscores its longstanding role as a hub for online gambling licensing and corporate structures. While the island has taken steps to modernize its regulatory framework, including new gambling legislation, international scrutiny remains high.
Industry observers note that the outcome of this case could accelerate reforms and increase pressure on Curaçao to tighten oversight of companies operating under its jurisdiction.