Curaçao Regulator Opts For Continuity Amid Licence Reviews

The Curaçao Gaming Authority has confirmed that a group of gambling operators whose provisional licences are close to expiring may continue operating while regulatory reviews remain ongoing. The clarification, released on December 23, indicates that final decisions on permanent licences have not yet been reached under the island’s updated gambling framework.

The authority said the delay stems from the volume and complexity of information submitted by operators. “Given the high amount of information collected from the operators and the time needed for proper vetting thereof, the CGA has not yet reached a final decision on the indefinite license for a group of operators whose expiry date of the second period of provisional license is nearby,” the regulator stated.

A parallel notice echoed that explanation, saying, “Given the high amount of information collected from the operators and the time needed for proper vetting thereof, the CGA has not yet reached a final decision on the indefinite license for a group of operators which expiry date of 2nd period of provisional license is nearby.”

Decisions Governed By Revised Gambling Law

The review process falls under the Landsverordening op de Kansspelen, or LOK, which reshaped Curaçao’s gambling regulation. The law allows for a six-month provisional licence followed by one six-month extension, giving operators time to comply with licensing conditions.

After that second period, the CGA must determine whether an operator qualifies for an indefinite licence based on the criteria outlined in Article 2.2, paragraph 2 of the LOK. The authority has indicated that completing these assessments requires careful scrutiny.

Operations Continue During Assessment

Despite uncertainty around timelines, the CGA stressed that operators currently under review remain legally authorised to operate. “The CGA assessment for this group is still in progress, and no final decision has been made at this stage,” the authority said. It added that “until a final decision is rendered and communicated to the operator, the current status remains unaffected.”

To formalise that position, the regulator said it will notify each affected operator directly. “The respective operators will receive a separate letter from the CGA stating the above,” the announcement confirmed. Those letters will serve as official confirmation that existing provisional licences remain valid until reviews conclude.

The clarification carries particular weight for offshore gambling companies licensed in Curaçao many of which are navigating the shift away from legacy licensing arrangements. The LOK framework forms part of wider reforms aimed at strengthening oversight and enhancing the jurisdiction’s standing with international regulators and counterparties.

From Legacy Licensing To Tighter Oversight

Curaçao has played a role in the global online gambling sector for more than three decades. Gambling regulation began with the National Offshore Gambling Decree in 1993, followed by licence issuance in 1996. For many years, the system relied on master licences and sub-licences issued by the Ministry of Justice, with only four master licence holders operating in practice.

The CGA’s decision reflects the challenge of transitioning from that long-standing model to a more centralised regulatory system without disrupting existing operators.

Source:

"Curaçao Gaming Authority Allows Operators to Continue Under Provisional Licences Pending Final Review", curacaochronicle.com, December 27 2025