Requirements for Curaçao gaming license
To get a Curaçao gambling license, a company must register locally, have a local office and representative, submit key documents (IDs, clean criminal records, address proof, resumes), and meet all regulatory requirements.
How to Start a Gambling Company in Curaçao
Registering a company in Curaçao is a straightforward process, but there are specific legal and administrative steps to follow.
Step 1. Choose The Type of Company
To establish a company in Curaçao, you must register one of two corporate entities:
- Private Limited Liability Company (BV): Suitable for most businesses, including online gambling.
- Public Limited Liability Company (NV): Used for larger businesses or those planning to go public.
The company must have a registered office in Curaçao and appoint at least one local representative for administrative purposes.
Step 2. Prepare Incorporation Documents
To register a company, the following documents are required:
- Company name: Must be unique and approved by the Curaçao Chamber of Commerce.
- Articles of Association: This legal document outlines the company’s structure, ownership, and rules of operation.
- List of Shareholders and Directors: A minimum of one shareholder and one director is required. They can be individuals or legal entities.
- Registered Office Address in Curaçao: Every company must have a local office address.
- Local Representative: A Curaçao-based service provider is often required to act as the company’s local representative.
Step 3. Notarization of Company Formation
A Curaçao notary must draft and notarize the Articles of Association. This step is required for both BV and NV companies. If the founders are not physically in Curaçao, they can sign via power of attorney.
Step 4. Register with the Chamber of Commerce
Once notarized, the company must be registered with the Curaçao Chamber of Commerce & Industry. This step makes the business legally recognized in Curaçao. The registration certificate will include company registration number and details of the business structure and ownership.
If you have any questions
If you have any questions
Types of licenses for Gambling in Curaçao
Curaçao provides two primary types of licenses: B2C (Business to customer) and B2B (Business to Business).
The B2C license is designed for businesses that serve end-users directly, such as online casinos, poker, sports betting, and lotteries. The license allows operators to manage wagers, payouts, and player accounts.
The B2B license is ideal for businesses that aim to become service providers to the gaming industry. With this license, they can offer tools, platforms, and software for B2C operators. Services may include gaming platforms, white-label solutions, payment gateways, or even affiliate management systems.
Overview of Curaçao Gambling License
Curaçao is a small island in the Caribbean with a major influence in the gambling industry. Due to its tax-friendly environment, it has become a business haven over time. Since 1996, Curaçao has been issuing licenses to gambling operators worldwide.
In December 2024, the jurisdiction completed its biggest regulatory overhaul in 30 years. The old licensing-sharing system, which included a master license and sub-licenses, was replaced with a new licensing framework issued directly by the Curaçao Gaming Authority (CGA). This reform strengthens supervision by authorities, makes sure compliance with AML/KYC standards, and enhances player protection.
A Curaçao gambling license remains popular for online gaming operators due to its affordability, flexibility, and global reach.
Renewing Curaçao Curaçao License
Under the LOK framework, all Curaçao gaming licenses are now issued and renewed directly by the Curaçao Gaming Authority (CGA). The old NOOGH system and the sub-license model have been fully replaced as of January 2025.
To renew your license, you must stay compliant with all CGA requirements, submit a renewal application through the CGA online portal, and pay the annual fees by January 15 each year.
Annual fees under LOK:
- Application fee (one-time, non-refundable): EUR 4,600
- Due diligence fee: EUR 130–260 per person
- Annual license fee: EUR 24,530
- Domain fee: EUR 260 per domain per year
- Total annual cost: approximately EUR 55,000 depending on your setup
If you miss a payment or fall out of compliance, your license can be suspended or revoked. The CGA enforces deadlines strictly, budget and plan accordingly.
Gambling Regulations in Curaçao
For decades, Curaçao gaming licenses operated under the National Ordinance on Offshore Games of Hazard (NOOGH). That framework has now been fully replaced.
On December 24, 2024, the National Ordinance for Games of Chance (LOK) officially came into force. The Curaçao Gaming Authority (CGA) is now the sole body responsible for issuing licenses, enforcing compliance, and overseeing all online gambling operations in Curaçao.
What changed under LOK:
- All licenses are now issued directly by the CGA; master licenses or sub-licenses no longer exist.
- B2C and B2B licenses are strictly separated
- Stronger AML, KYC, and player protection requirements apply
- Operators must comply with the updated Player Complaints Policy and provide access to Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) services
Players have up to six months to submit complaints. Operators must resolve Responsible Gaming complaints within five business days and general complaints within four weeks. If unresolved, players can escalate for free to a CGA-certified ADR provider, at no cost to them.
If you have any questions
If you have any questions
COMPARISON WITH OTHER LICENSES
Compare the Curaçao Gambling License with other major jurisdictions in terms of cost, processing time, and regulatory requirements.
The Future
Curaçao has completed its biggest regulatory overhaul in 30 years. The LOK framework is now fully in force, replacing the old system that allowed master license holders to issue sub-licenses to hundreds of operators.
The result is a cleaner, more credible jurisdiction. Licenses are now publicly registered, compliance standards are stricter, and the CGA has real enforcement powers. This makes Curaçao-licensed operators more trustworthy in the eyes of banks, payment processors, and players.
For operators, this means higher entry standards but also stronger legal standing and better long-term stability. If you’re evaluating Curaçao as a jurisdiction, you’re looking at a regulated, internationally recognized framework, not a shortcut.
Cryptocurrency friendliness
Curaçao’s regulatory framework is cryptocurrency-friendly, allowing online gambling operators to accept cryptocurrencies for deposits, wagers, and withdrawals. There are no restrictions on which cryptocurrencies can be used.
Cryptocurrency platforms can apply for the same license as fiat-based ones without needing additional permissions for crypto use. Cryptocurrencies allow Curaçao-licensed operators to reach customers in regions where fiat-based gambling faces strict restrictions or prohibitions.
Restricted countries
The Curaçao license prohibits operators from accepting players based in the USA, the UK, France, Germany, Australia, the Netherlands, FATF-blacklisted countries, and Curaçao itself. There are also “grey” countries where targeting players is allowed but not recommended due to potential regulatory uncertainty.
