WILLEMSTAD – The controversy surrounding Curaçao’s online gaming sector has intensified after Malta-based Random Consulting Limited (RCL) rejected claims that it receives ANG 8.3 million annually from the Curaçao government. The company says the figure used by Minister of Finance Charles Cooper is inaccurate and does not reflect the actual payments made for its services to the Curaçao Gaming Authority (CGA).
The dispute has become part of a broader political confrontation over the legacy of former Minister of Finance Javier Silvania, who introduced the new Landsverordening op de Kansspelen (LOK) as a replacement for the previous online gaming licensing system. The LOK was designed to modernize regulation, create direct government oversight and bring licensing revenues into the public sector
Cooper announced that the government would investigate financial arrangements within the online gaming sector, including payments made to Random Consulting, a company associated with Maltese gaming consultant Mario Galea. The minister questioned why a private company would receive millions in compensation and whether the services provided justify the amount paid.
According to Random Consulting, however, the company has not received a fixed annual payment of ANG 8.3 million. In a statement, RCL said it received a total of €3.426 million since beginning its engagement with Curaçao in 2022. The company listed payments of €15,406 in 2022, no payment in 2023, €884,250 in 2024 and €2.526 million in 2025.
The company said its work focused on supporting the transition to the new gaming regulatory framework. According to RCL, it developed and maintained technology systems used by the gaming regulator, including an online licensing portal, licensing administration systems and monitoring tools to identify operators falsely claiming to hold Curaçao licenses.
Random Consulting also stated that the technology developed for Curaçao will eventually become the property of the Curaçao Gaming Authority without ongoing licensing costs.
Questions over Silvania’s role
The political fallout centers on the fact that the agreement was made during Silvania’s time as Minister of Finance. Silvania has defended the LOK reforms, arguing that the previous system allowed private master license holders to benefit from online gaming revenues while Curaçao received limited direct income.
Supporters of Silvania say the introduction of the LOK changed that structure by transferring licensing authority to the CGA and creating a system where operators pay fees directly through government channels. The CGA currently functions as the regulator responsible for licensing and supervision of the online gaming sector.
Critics, including Cooper, argue that transparency is still needed regarding contracts, payments and the management of gaming-related information.
Cooper has questioned whether there was a public tender process, what exact services Random Consulting provides and where sensitive information about license holders is stored.
Political confrontation within MFK
The issue has created an unusual political situation within the ruling MFK party. A sitting minister and a sitting member of Parliament from the same party are now publicly challenging each other over the handling of the online gaming sector.
While Cooper is demanding an investigation into arrangements made under Silvania’s administration, Silvania continues to state that he remains loyal to MFK and maintains that his reforms were aimed at protecting Curaçao’s interests and increasing government revenue.
The disagreement has become one of the most visible internal disputes within the party, raising questions about whether the investigation is primarily about improving transparency in the gaming sector or whether it will also affect Silvania’s political reputation.
At this stage, however, the facts remain subject to investigation. Random Consulting maintains that its payments are documented in its financial statements and that its role was to provide technical and regulatory support during the implementation of the new gaming framework.
Cooper has said that the government will allow the investigation to determine the facts before deciding on possible next steps.
The outcome of that investigation could have major implications not only for the online gaming industry, but also for the political debate surrounding one of Silvania’s most important reforms as finance minister.