Curacao Gaming License: Application, Cost & Regulations

This ensures transparency and complies with international standards, which builds trust with clients and partners. Although the suspension temporarily slowed down the issuance of gambling licenses in Curacao, once approved by NOOGH, the process became consistently swift. The regulator utilizes an online portal to submit and manage applications, simplifying the processing. Key benefits of Curacao gambling license include global recognition, favorable tax environment, and strong regulatory standards ensuring compliance and integrity. It covers multiple gaming activities under a single license and provides a crypto-friendly environment. The B2B license is ideal for businesses that aim to become service providers to the gaming industry.

This small Caribbean island, nestled within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, is a true powerhouse in online gambling and other business sectors. Your gambling company will be signed up in the official license register, and you will obtain the Curacao gambling license. For those wishing to register multiple domain names, there’s an initial one-time charge of $280 per domain.

In addition, the cost of renting a local office, paying employees, and other operational costs must be taken into account. Designed for companies that provide services and technology to B2C operators. This includes software vendors, game developers, and other companies serving the gaming industry.

As one of the most accessible and budget-friendly jurisdictions, Curaçao offers fast licensing, zero tax on gaming revenue, and a globally recognized regulatory framework backed by the Kingdom of the Netherlands. For those comparing jurisdictions or exploring broader options, securing an online gaming license in 2025 through the right channel can make all the difference in long-term success. At iGaming Express, we specialize in obtaining your Curacao online casino license and offering a wide range of e-gaming options. Our services include sports betting, roulette, poker, blackjack, baccarat, bingo, and lottery offerings. We’ll guide you in setting up the required company structure for license registration, ensuring efficiency.

Additionally, we help establish secure payment processing merchant accounts through reputable European EMI service providers, ensuring a convenient experience for your players. With iGaming Express, create a successful online casino in Curacao effortlessly. The target market is the primary distinction between the two types of licenses.

• With the introduction of the National Ordinance for Games of Chance (LOK), the licensing framework is being modernised to meet international standards on compliance, responsible gaming, and corporate governance.
• To address compliance challenges, licensees must maintain a local office presence and submit regular financial and operational reports.
• There are also “grey” countries where targeting players is allowed but not recommended due to potential regulatory uncertainty.
• WILLEMSTAD – The Curaçao Gaming Authority (CGA), the governing body for overseeing the gaming industry, has recently disclosed that the annual fee for an online casino license in Curaçao is about $53,000.
• As an operator, it’s your responsibility to stay informed about any changes in Curacao’s gaming laws or international regulations.

Contact Nexus Solutions to streamline your entry into the Curaçao market by completing the Contact Us form. The CGA may set additional obligations depending on the nature of the application, and Nexus provides full support to guide you through the process. Recent updates to Curaçao regulations, including the introduction of the LOK (National Ordinance for Games of Chance), has started a new era of stricter legal rules. So operators must now be more mindful of the jurisdictions where they can legally operate.

Submit the application

The LOK framework introduces a more structured and internationally recognized licensing process. By adhering to the updated regulatory requirements, gaming operators can legally and securely establish their businesses under Curaçao’s modernized regulatory framework. Curaçao maintains a strong reputation in the online gambling industry, regulated under the National Ordinance for Games of Chance (LOK) by the Curaçao Gaming Control Board (GCB).

For nearly three decades, Curacao has played a leading role as a licensing jurisdiction, giving operators & service providers a platform to grow internationally. The cost of the license is negotiated with the owner of a Curaçao master gaming license. There may be more annual charges depending on which additional services you require from GBO.

Why Choose a Curaçao License?

Below is a comprehensive breakdown of the initial setup costs, recurring charges, and other relevant fees. Operators with a B2C license are required to comply with responsible gaming standards, player data protection, and anti-money laundering and anti-terrorist financing requirements. It is also important to provide information on financial sources and ownership structure. Curaçao grants only one license, which covers different types of online gambling. Master licenses will no longer be issued, and only the new licensing format through the Curacao Gaming Authority will remain on the market. 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.

Operators are required to implement comprehensive anti-money laundering and customer vetting measures to help prevent criminal schemes and enforce fair play. The entire process, from the initial consultation to the final approval and issuance of the license, typically takes 6 months. 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.

Before the recent updates, master licenses were issued directly by the Curaçao government to 4 entities (CEG, Antillephone, CIL and Gaming Curacao). Valid for 5 years and issued by the Ministry of Justice of Curaçao, the master license grants the holder the authority to oversee different gambling activities and issue sublicences to operators. A sublicense has no independent legal standing and remains valid as long as the master license did by meeting the annual renewal requirements. The reforms enacted under LOK signal Curacao’s commitment to aligning with global anti-money laundering (AML) and responsible gaming standards.

Technical integrity is paramount to the credibility of the Curacao Gaming License. The LOK places heightened emphasis on ensuring that all games are fair, systems are secure, and player data is protected. All exemptions to the LOK will end, thus assuring that all active iGaming activities operate under an LOK license or activities seized immediately.

The Curacao Gaming License is one of the most popular offshore licenses for online gambling operators. Known for its affordability, fast approval process, and flexible regulations, it allows businesses to legally operate casinos, sportsbooks, and other iGaming platforms. This license opens the door to a global market while ensuring compliance with international standards.

By modernizing its regulatory framework, Curaçao ensures that gaming operators meet global standards while fostering a safe, transparent, and trustworthy environment for online gaming. Businesses seeking a Curaçao gaming license must adapt to these changes to maintain compliance and credibility in the competitive online gaming industry. The gaming software must maintain detailed records of all transactions and implement effective monitoring systems to prevent illegal activities.

Known for its mix of tourism, oil refining, cargo handling, light industry, and financial services, Curacao provides a great business environment. Its developed infrastructure and favorable tax conditions make it a prime location for offshore businesses. They are also the supervisor for the Curacao gaming industry for compliance with legislation and regulation regarding anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT). The Curacao Gaming Authority partners with the Central Bank of Curacao and Sint Maarten (CBCS) and the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) Curacao as fellow AML/CFT supervisors. Every operator, be it new or currently operating, is mandated to have an individual account on the designated portal. An account corresponds to a singular operator and is not to be used for varied applications or registrations.

Provisional licenses are issued with a six-month window to provide audited policies and procedures. Operators must maintain ongoing compliance with LOK regulations, as licenses are valid for one year and subject to renewal based on continued adherence to requirements. These technical standards align with Gaming Laboratories International (GLI) guidelines, guaranteeing Curacao’s gaming industry maintains international quality benchmarks. The infrastructure must also support the processing of a monthly license fee that includes both fixed and variable components based on slot machine performance.

These documents ensure that applicants meet the regulatory standards set by the Curaçao Gaming Control Board (GCB). In addition to the initial license application, gaming operators in Curacao must also renew their licenses on a regular basis and maintain compliance with ongoing reporting and regulatory requirements. Since then online gaming licenses have been issued by the Minister of Finance, which has been tasked with the supervision of the online gaming sector.

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. We will help you meet compliance requirements, including CDD, NOIS, and NORUT. We assist in appointing a qualified compliance officer with AML experience and prepare all necessary documents required at this stage. Curacao is reorganizing its gambling industry and is ready to issue new licenses to operators in November 2024.

By abiding by these standards, operators ensure a secure, transparent, and responsible gaming environment for all stakeholders. An updated regulatory framework dubbed the National Ordinance for Games of Chance (LOK) has been in development since September 2023, when the GCB first established its new licensing window process. Strict operational monitoring standards form the cornerstone of Curacao’s casino licensing framework. The Gaming Control Board (GCB) implements extensive oversight measures to guarantee operational efficiency and regulatory compliance through advanced monitoring technologies.

License Renewal Process

All documents must be submitted through the Curacao Gaming Control Board’s online portal, accompanied by the required application fees. The GCB conducts thorough verification of all submitted documentation to guarantee compliance with regulatory standards. The regulatory framework is built upon the National Ordinance Offshore Games of Hazard (OOGH), implemented in 1996 and subsequently updated in 2001 and 2014. These updates align Curacao’s gaming curacao casino industry with international standards while maintaining flexibility for operators. The Curacao Internet Gaming Association (CIGA) collaborates with regulators to guarantee effectiveness. All operators know that licensing is linked to legal compliance – a line no one wants to cross, no matter how inadvertently.