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.
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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 2023, the jurisdiction underwent a major regulatory overhaul. 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 regulatory oversight, ensures 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
Renewing a Curaçao gaming license depends on whether an operator is under the old NOOGH system or the new LOK system. Since the NOOGH system is being phased out, all operators must transition to the LOK system by 2025.
Before renewing your license, you must clear any outstanding NOOGH invoices. If you were approved for a license in 2024 but didn’t pay before December 24, 2024, you’ll have to settle that first. Any payments you have already made will be credited toward your first 2025 LOK invoice.
Next, you must submit a renewal application through the Curaçao Gaming Authority (CGA) online portal. You may also need to update some documents, like financial records, company details, and compliance reports to show that you’re following AML (Anti-Money Laundering) and KYC (Know Your Customer) rules.
Once your renewal is processed, you must pay the required annual fees.
- B2C license holders pay EUR 12,245 to the National Treasury and EUR 11,480 to CGA every six months.
- B2B license holders pay EUR 11,480 to CGA twice a year.
The CGA will issue invoices via email and post notifications in the CGA online portal.
Once you’ve made all the payments and passed compliance checks, your license will be renewed under LOK. If you miss a payment, your license could be revoked, and you won’t be able to operate. Since LOK licenses are valid for one year, you’ll need to renew annually to stay in business.
Gambling Regulations in Curaçao
For many years, gambling licenses in Curaçao operated under the National Ordinance on Offshore Games of Hazard (NOOGH). In 2023, the Curaçao government announced a new gambling framework, the National Ordinance for Games of Chance (LOK), which replaced NOOGH with the Curaçao Gaming Authority (CGA). The new regulatory body oversees online gambling licenses in Curaçao under the LOK, which officially takes effect in 2025. The CGA is now the sole authority handling applications, renewals, and compliance checks for Curaçao gaming licenses.
The LOK law strengthens Curaçao’s credibility as a regulated online gambling jurisdiction. Its implementation marks the beginning of significant improvements in the gaming compliance framework.
As a Curaçao-licensed online gambling operator, you must comply with the updated Player Complaints Policy and provide access to Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) services. These policies ensure fair and transparent handling of player complaints.
Players have up to six months to submit complaints regarding withdrawals, bonuses, account restrictions, unfair game results, or fraud. Operators must resolve Responsible Gaming complaints within five business days (or up to two weeks if needed). General complaints must be acknowledged within one week and resolved within four weeks. If a player isn’t satisfied with the response, they can escalate it for free to an independent ADR provider.
Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) acts as independent mediators, helping players and operators settle disputes without going to court. Only CGA-certified ADR providers (listed on the official website) are authorized to handle disputes for Curaçao-licensed operators. To qualify, ADR providers must be registered in Curaçao, include legal experts, and be CGA-approved.
Operators are required to fully cooperate with ADR. If they refuse to participate, the case may be decided in the player’s favor, and the CGA will be notified. Players don’t have to pay anything—the operator covers all ADR costs.
To comply with CGA requirements, operators must keep detailed complaint records for five years, including resolved, unresolved, and escalated cases. Twice a year, by January 15 and June 15, they must report to the CGA, summarizing total complaints, pending cases, types of disputes, and cases referred to ADR or legal action. Not only operators but also ADR providers must submit quarterly reports to the CGA, detailing dispute numbers, resolution times, case outcomes, and any operators that fail to cooperate.
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COMPARISON WITH OTHER LICENSES
The Future
Curaçao has long been known for its light regulatory framework, which has attracted many operators. While this remains true, the jurisdiction is facing increasing pressure from international bodies, such as the Financial Action Task Force, to enhance AML and KYC protocols.
The government of Curaçao has already announced plans to introduce stricter compliance requirements in its licensing system by 2025. While stricter regulations could mean higher costs and requirements for operators, they may also improve the credibility of Curaçao-licensed platforms. Now might be the most opportune time to obtain a Curaçao license before introducing stricter regulations.
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.
