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What Is the Curacao Gaming License?

This is an online gambling license offered by the Curacao Gaming Control Board. This governing body regulates all gambling activities within the country, whether it’s a local lottery or an online casino site that operates from Curacao.

This license allows a gambling organisation, such as an online casino, to operate legally from Curacao and several other jurisdictions worldwide. It also builds trust among players, as licensed casinos are held to a higher standard of security and fairness than unlicensed sites.

However, some European countries may not recognise the Curacao License as sufficient for legal operation, meaning operators could encounter challenges in these markets without additional certifications like the UKGC or MGA.

Historical Overview

The history of the Curacao Gambling License can be traced back to 1993, when the country passed the National Offshore Gambling Decree, legalising the participation and operation of online gambling sites from Curacao. Three years later, in 1996, the first licences were issued, and three years after that, the Curacao Gaming Control Board was founded to regulate the industry.

Curacao used a master license and sub-licensing format for over two decades before making a big change in 2023. The National Ordinance on Games of Chance legislation has simplified the licensing process. Now, operators can apply for B2B or B2C licenses based on their needs.

Key Features of the License

Since the latest legislation change, Curacao has been using a simplified licensing structure that can be split into two categories: B2B (Business to Business) and B2C (Business to Customer). Each license has a different focus adjusted to fit various gambling businesses.

• B2B: The B2B license focuses on services provided by gambling businesses. Companies that develop offshore games for online casinos are typical recipients of this certification.
• B2C: These licenses are issued to companies that offer gambling options such as casino games and sports betting to end users.

The Curacao gambling license is globally recognised, which allows companies to operate worldwide and provides additional trust to players.

Types of Curacao Gaming Licenses

Before the split into B2B and B2C, Curacao used a master and sub-licensing system, which effectively devolved the responsibility of certification management to the master holders. Gambling businesses wishing to operate within Curacao could only apply for a sub-license. Let’s take a closer look at how they work.

Master License

In the old licensing system, the master licenses were granted exclusively to four private companies. These companies were responsible for overseeing sub-licensees activities and ensuring compliance with Curacao’s regulatory standards. The following four companies were granted master licenses:

• Gaming Services Provider N.V. – #365/JAZ
• Antillephone N.V. – #8048/JAZ
• Cyberluck Curacao N.V. – #1668/JAZ
• Curacao Interactive Licensing N.V. – #5536/JAZ

These companies became known as the primary license holders and had the authority to issue a license to an online casino under their jurisdiction. Each company has its own requirements that gambling operators must meet to obtain and keep one of these certifications.

Sub-License

Any other gambling operator wishing to do business within Curacao had to apply for a sub-license from one of the four aforementioned issuers. This involved an application process to ensure that the operator meets the requirements for a sub-license and a substantial application fee of more than €10,000. Receiving it allows a company to operate under the master issuer.

The sub-license was a one-size-fits-all deal. It allowed companies to legally offer any iGaming services, such as platform operators or software providers, as well as any form of online gambling, including casino games, sports betting, or lotteries.

Why Choose a Curacao Gaming License?

While we’ve covered a number of benefits that come with holding a Curaçao Gambling License, there are some downsides to consider. Take a look at our table to learn about both its positives and negatives:

• The cost of this certification is lower than most other gaming authorities

• The application typically only takes a few weeks to complete

• It covers a variety of gambling options, including online betting, casino games, and lotteries

• It is recognised throughout the world as a valid online gambling certification

• It is not as well-regarded as the UKGC or Malta Gaming Authority

• There are fewer avenues for submitting complaints about certified gaming operations

• Some major online gambling markets, such as the UK, the US, and parts of Europe, do not recognise it.

Requirements for Obtaining a Curacao Gaming License

While obtaining a gaming certification in Curacao is simpler than in other jurisdictions, there are a number of steps that must be taken. All gambling operators must meet the legal, operational, and financial requirements to complete the application process and receive a license. Once the accreditation has been awarded, these companies must continue to meet these criteria to maintain their licensing status.

Legal and Corporate Setup

To obtain a gambling certification from the Curacao Gaming Control Board, the operator must incorporate a company within the jurisdiction. This involves registering your company at a local address and employing a local representative. Having a local address in Curacao is vital, as to obtain a license, a gambling operator must have at least one physical server located on the island.

Operators must also obtain a business establishment permit prior to setting up their company. Incorporating a company within Curacao incurs a one-time fee of €4,000 and yearly maintenance fees.

Application Process

Once a gambling operator has registered a company within Curacao, the next step is to start the application process. The application for a Curacao certification is much less complicated than those of other licences, but there are multiple requirements that must be met.

1. Submit documentation: All applicants are required to submit notarized copies of passports, criminal record certifications and proof of address, as well as CVs for key members of the organisation. Additional documents, such as proof of ownership structure and bank references, may also be requested during the review process.
2. Complete audits: Each operator must undergo an audit of its gaming system and site security and implement anti-money laundering measures on its site. These audits ensure compliance with the island’s gaming regulations and industry standards.
3. Filing the application: All applications must be submitted with the filing fee via the government’s online portal. The results can be received in 4-12 weeks.

Costs Involved

Submitting an application for a Curacao Gambling License involves a number of costs. While we’ve mentioned a few of them in passing, we’ve created a table that breaks down the key costs required to receive a license from the Curacao Licensing Authority.

Some additional expenses, such as server maintenance and potential legal consultations, may arise depending on the scale of operations. Furthermore, operators should account for transactional costs associated with processing payments through approved financial channels.

Ongoing Responsibilities for License Holders

Once an operator has received their Curaçao Gambling License, that isn’t the end of the process. These businesses must uphold certain standards for security, player safety, and fairness to make sure that they remain aligned with the licensing requirements. This allows players to trust casinos with a valid gaming license, as they must ensure their standards are met through the licensing period.

Reporting and Auditing

While holding a Curacao Gambling License, a casino operator must actively monitor their compliance with the regulations and report their findings to the board. The CGA conducts regular checks to ensure all operators meet the required legal standards and suspends those who fail to comply.

To comply with the CGA’s licensing requirements, operators must conduct regular audits of their data protection, site security, financial status, and RNGs. Any site found to be in breach of their responsibilities will face punishments such as fines, suspensions, and in extreme cases, license removal.

Maintenance Costs

Curacao gambling licenses aren’t a one-time expense; operators must continue to pay fees to uphold their licensing status. The current cost of the new B2C Curacao license is €24,600 per year, meaning that companies must pay this fee every 12 months if they want to remain licensed operators. In addition to the yearly licensing fee, operators will likely spend thousands of euros updating their data protection and site security features to ensure that they’re in line with the authority’s requirements.

Safety and Security Under the Curacao Gaming License

The aim of the Curacao Gambling License is to create a new standard for player safety within the gaming industry. Sites that wish to obtain a gambling certification from the Curacao Gaming Control Board must prove their commitment to player security by demonstrating their ability to offer a fair and safe gaming environment.

Responsible Gambling Measures

Online casinos licensed in Curaçao offer a variety of resources that allow you to practice responsible gaming. These resources include tools such as loss limits, deposit limits, reality checks, and self-exclusion, which allow you to control your gambling habits better.

The best sites also offer information on their responsible gaming policy, offering useful tips you can use while playing. You can also find links to organisations such as Gamblers Anonymous that help players suffering from gambling addiction. Additionally, many online casinos licensed in Curaçao have started to partner with third-party organisations to ensure that their responsible gambling practices are aligned with international standards.

Global Reputation

The Curacao Gambling License is known worldwide and is recognised as a valid option in many jurisdictions worldwide. However, the license’s reputation isn’t as strong as that of its counterparts, such as the Alderney Gambling Control Commission or the MGA, as the requirements aren’t as stringent.

This move towards stricter gambling regulation is expected to boost the confidence of players and regulators, ensuring better compliance with global gambling laws. That said, the new regulations introduced in 2023 aim to bring the Curacao Gambling License closer to more reputable ones by requiring stricter prerequisites and a greater focus on player safety.