Ultimate Guide to the Curaçao eGaming License

History of the Curaçao License Authority

The history of licensing casinos in Curaçao goes back several decades. This short list presents the main stages of the Curaçao license establishment:

• 

  1993

  Adoption of the NOOGH which legalized all types of gambling on the island of Curaçao;

• 

  1996

  The first licenses were issued based on the adopted ordinance. These licenses included the famous Curaçao Gaming license;

• 

  1999

  A special regulatory body, the Curaçao Gaming Control Board (GCB), was created. This body became responsible for regulating the gambling industry, but it did not have the authority to issue casino licenses;

• 

  2020

  The Curaçao Ministry of Finance instructed the Gaming Control Board to handle all licensing operations in the covered territory.

Why Do So Many Casinos Choose the Curaçao Gaming License?

The Curaçao eGaming license attracts many companies around the world due to the number of benefits that it provides. The main upsides of it are listed below:

• Low license acquisition costs

  Compared to other jurisdictions, it is much cheaper to get a Curacao license. This makes it more affordable. This is especially true for those online casinos that are just starting out;

• Simplified application procedure

  Getting a license from this regulator is considered simple and fairly quick. It usually takes about 6 weeks;

• Tax benefits

  Curaçao offers attractive tax conditions for gambling companies. The tax rate on profits is only 2%;

• Low software requirements

  Compared to other jurisdictions, the Curaçao authorities impose minimal requirements on online casino software developers. This allows operators to use even those slots and random number generators (RNG) that are in the beta testing stage.

All of these advantages make the license from Curaçao an attractive choice for casinos that want to run their gambling business cost-effectively.

Why Are Curaçao Casinos the Top Choice for Bettors?

You may have noticed that most online casinos have a license issued by the Curaçao authorities. Let’s find out why platforms with a Curaçao eGaming license are a great choice for any player:

• High reliability

  Having a Curaçao license indicates the reliability of the casino and the financial stability of this gambling company;

• A wide range of games

  Curaçao licensing covers various types of gambling and betting, including slots, lotteries, sports betting, and much more;

• Availability of cryptocurrency payments

  Many casinos with a Curaçao license accept cryptocurrencies. This provides players with a good additional tool for making deposits and withdrawing winnings;

• Ease of registration and verification

  Usually, the registration procedures are simplified, and there are minimal verification requirements;

• Availability in many countries

  The Curaçao license is international, so companies are able to legally conduct their business in many regions of the world.

How to Check the Validity of Curaçao License in the Online Casino?

Checking the validity of the Curaçao license at the online casino is an important step to ensure your safety while playing. Below is a detailed step-by-step guide on how to check this license:

1. Find licensing information. Usually, information about the license that the casino has is posted at the bottom of the official website of the platform.
2. Find a mention of the Curaçao license. This can be a text mention or a logo of the regulator.
3. Check for a link to the validation page. A clickable logo or link should redirect you to the license verification page on the regulator’s website.
4. Make sure the validation page is authentic. The page address should be associated with the official Curaçao domain.
5. Check the license details. The validation page should indicate the name of the operator, the license number and its activity status.

If the license information is missing or raises doubts, then users are advised to refrain from playing on such a platform. If you are sure that the online casino provides false information about its Curaçao Gaming license, contact the relevant authorities in your country and report illegal gambling activities.

What Kind of Games Can You Play In Curaçao-Licensed Casinos?

Curaçao licensed online platforms offer a wide range of casino games that satisfy the interests of a variety of users. Thanks to the universality of the license, covering almost all types of gambling, users can play the following games:

• Slot Machines

  Slots with a variety of themes, features, and bonuses. Gamblers can choose between classic three-reel slots or modern video slots with HD graphics and multiple paylines;

• Table Games

  Classic casino games such as blackjack, poker, roulette, baccarat and craps. These games offer a variety of rules, allowing everyone to find something to their taste;

• Sports Betting

  The ability to bet on the outcomes of various sporting events. Curaçao licensed online platforms offer bets on both popular sports around the world (football, hockey, basketball, tennis) and local ones (cricket, kabaddi). Online casinos offer a variety of betting markets, from simple outcomes to complex combination bets;

• Lotteries and Bingo

  Games based on a random selection of numbers, where players can win significant prizes. Lotteries offer offline draws with large jackpots, while bingo is based on the active interaction of users;

• Live Dealer Games

  A realistic gaming experience with real dealers, just like in a real-life casino. Such games are broadcast in real time. Players can interact with dealers and other participants directly through a user chat.

Due to the lack of division of the license into types of activities, casinos with a Curaçao license can offer all of the listed games under one regulation.

Curaçao Complaint Procedure

The procedure for filing complaints against online casinos with a Curaçao license plays an important role in protecting the rights of players as well as in ensuring the fairness of gaming activities.

This procedure provides users with the opportunity to contact the licensing authority in case of violations by the casino. If you have a problem with an online gaming platform licensed in Curaçao, it is recommended to follow the next algorithm for filing a complaint:

1. On the official Curaçao eGaming website, scroll to the very bottom of the main page and click the “File a complaint” button in the left corner.
2. On the next page, from the four options offered, select “File a complaint” again and click “I agree to the terms and I wish to file a complaint with CEG”.
3. Carefully read the checklist of actions that must be completed before filing a complaint and click on the yellow “Continue” button.
4. Fill in all the necessary information in the form provided, including the name of the site against which you are filing a complaint, your ID number, email address, and the amount and currency of the funds you are disputing.
5. Next, prepare a detailed description of the essence of the problem in English. You can attach screenshots of the correspondence with the casino’s support service and other necessary materials.
6. Submit your complaint and wait for a response from Curaçao Gaming.

It is important to note that the effectiveness and time frame for processing complaints may vary. It all depends on how typical your problem is, and how detailed you described the situation. You should not contact Curaçao Gaming if you have not yet tried to resolve the dispute with the support service of your online casino.

How Can an Online Casino Get the Curaçao eGaming License?

Obtaining an international Curaçao license is a popular choice for online casinos due to its universality as well as a fairly simple application process. Below is a quick guide on how a platform can obtain a license from the Curaçao jurisdiction:

1. Registering a company on the island of Curaçao. The first step is to establish a legal entity in the territory of the Curaçao jurisdiction. This is a mandatory requirement for applying for a license.
2. Preparing the necessary documentation. Gathering and preparing all required documents, including the company’s incorporation documents, beneficial owner information, business plan, and proof of financial solvency.
3. Submitting the application and paying the fees. Once the documents have been prepared, it is necessary to submit an official application for a Curaçao Gaming license and pay the relevant government fees and charges. The initial fee for obtaining this license is approximately 4,600 EUR. Curaçao license holders also pay an annual fee of 24,500 EUR.
4. Consideration of the application. The competent authorities of the Curaçao jurisdiction, namely the Curaçao Gaming Control Board, review the submitted documents and assess the applicant’s compliance with the established requirements.
5. Obtaining the license. If the decision is positive, the casino receives a license and can officially begin providing online gambling services.

The process of obtaining a Curaçao license is considered less complicated and costly compared to other jurisdictions.

How to Choose the Best Online Casino that Operates Under Curaçao License?

Choosing a reliable casino with an online Curaçao license requires a careful approach. In order to ensure comfortable gaming on the platform, you are supposed to pay attention to the following key aspects:

• Reputation

  Study the reviews of other players and ratings of the gaming platform on reputable resources. The presence of positive reviews indicates the reliability of the operator;

• Transparency of information

  Check the availability of information about the Curaçao eGaming license on the website. Check the license number and its validity period. Many platforms continue to operate under their Curaçao license even after it has expired;

• Selection of games

  Make sure that the platform offers various games from well-known providers. It is a proven game developer that guarantees high quality and fairness in games;

• Payment methods

  Evaluate the available methods of depositing and withdrawing funds, their convenience, and transaction processing speed;

• Support service

  The presence of a 24-hour and competent support service indicates that the casino cares about its customers. Good companies often offer several ways to contact their customer support, such as a special chat on the website, email, and even a local phone number;

• Bonus policy

  Study the terms of bonuses on the platform. Read the information about the rollover stipulations for the offered bonuses;

• Security measures

  Make sure that the casino uses modern SSL encryption technologies to protect the personal and financial data of users. Such information is usually located at the bottom of the official website of the platform;

• Responsible gaming

  Not a single platform can obtain a gaming license from the jurisdiction of Curaçao without having its own responsible gaming policy. This system of measures is aimed at allowing players to limit their activity on a particular platform if they realize that they are becoming addicted to gambling.

A detailed analysis of these aspects will help you choose a reliable, fair, and safe platform with a Curaçao license.

Types of Curaçao Gaming Licenses

The Curaçao jurisdiction has a system of master licenses and sublicenses that regulates the activities of casinos in the online gambling industry. Let’s talk about these two types of Curaçao licenses in more detail:

• Curaçao Master Licenses. Master licenses are issued directly by the Curaçao Gaming Control Board and grant their holders the right to conduct their own gambling activities and issue sublicenses to other casinos. Since the introduction of this system in 1996, only four master licenses have been issued. Master license holders are responsible for ensuring that their sublicensees comply with the established rules and international standards of fair play;
• Curaçao Sublicenses. Sublicenses are issued by master license holders and also allow their owners to provide services in the field of online gambling. Unlike master licensees, sublicensees do not have the right to issue the license to other companies. It is worth noting that in terms of its functionality, a sublicense is no way different from a master license for running an online gaming business. Most often, online casinos apply particularly for a sublicense.

From the players’ point of view, there is almost no difference between a platform with a master license and a sublicense. Both types of licenses provide the right to conduct legal gaming activities, but sublicensees are responsible to their master licensee and not directly to the authorities of the island of Curaçao.

2023 Curaçao Licensing Reform

In 2023, the Curaçao government announced its plans to reform the gambling licensing system to strengthen the level of regulation of gaming platforms and improve their compliance with international standards. The main provisions of this reform are:

• Creation of a new regulatory body. The body called Curaçao Gaming Authority (CGA) should replace the previous system under which gambling companies were controlled by master licensees;
• Introduction of individual licenses. Each casino will now have to obtain a license directly from the CGA, rather than through a master license;
• Tighter requirements for applicants. To obtain a license, companies will have to provide more information about their activities, financial situation, and measures to combat fraud and money laundering;
• Increased transparency. Information about licensed companies will be more accessible, and player complaints will be dealt with more quickly.

These changes are aimed at strengthening the credibility of the Curaçao license and attracting more responsible companies to the industry. For players, this means greater protection of their rights and fair gaming conditions.

List of Requirements to Obtain Curaçao License

To obtain a gaming license from the Curaçao Gaming Control Board, an online casino must meet a number of specific requirements, the main ones being:

• Company registration in Curaçao. The company must register a legal entity in the jurisdiction of Curaçao;
• A local representative. The company providing casino services must have a representative residing in Curaçao. This is necessary to ensure effective interaction with local authorities;
• Providing a description of the casino games. It is necessary to provide a detailed description of all games and services offered, including their rules and mechanics;
• Developing rules for using the site. The casino must create and publish on its website clear rules of the game and terms of use for players;
• Domain ownership. The company is required to confirm ownership of the domain name used for the online casino site;
• Server locations. At least one physical server of the company must be located on the territory of the island of Curaçao;
• AML procedures. The casino must implement anti-money laundering (AML) procedures to check each player;
• Technical audit. Each software must undergo a technical audit for compliance with international standards;
• Software certification. The software must have a random number generator certificate that confirms its fairness;
• Financial reporting. The company is required to maintain financial records and submit regular reports to the Curaçao regulatory authorities.

If at least one of these requirements is not met, the gaming platform will not be able to obtain a Curaçao eGaming license. Compliance with all of the listed requirements guarantees safe gaming for users of the Curaçao licensed casinos.

Cons of Getting the Curaçao eGaming License

The clear advantages of obtaining a Curaçao Gaming license are its universality, fast registration (on average about 6 weeks), low cost (the initial fee is only 4,600 EUR), and availability in almost all regions of the world. Another significant advantage of this license is its favorable tax conditions. There is no VAT (Value Added Tax) in the Curaçao jurisdiction, and the income tax rate is only 2%. However, there are some disadvantages of the gaming license in Curaçao that both casinos and players should be aware of:

• Market restrictions. The license does not allow players from certain countries to play legally, including popular European jurisdictions such as the Netherlands, France, Germany, and the United States;
• Low credibility. Curaçao licensing is considered to be less prestigious than licenses issued in jurisdictions such as Malta, the Isle of Man, or the United Kingdom. This is because these jurisdictions impose much higher requirements on online gaming platforms to obtain a license;
• Limited player protection. In some cases, player protection mechanisms may be not so effective. This is due to the master license and sublicense system, where sublicensees are responsible directly to their master licensee rather than to the Curaçao government. Some unfair sublicensees may be able to take advantage of it;
• Limited support. In case of a dispute between players and online casinos, the intervention of the Curaçao regulator may be limited.