Curaçao’s government has officially confirmed that responsibility for supervising the island’s gaming industry now lies with Minister of Justice Shalton Hato, dispelling reports that Prime Minister Gilmar Pisas had assumed control. Recent media coverage and social media discussions had suggested otherwise, creating confusion over who held formal authority over the Curaçao Gaming Authority (CGA), formerly the Gaming Control Board (GCB).
A government spokesperson explained that the Prime Minister’s involvement was limited to receiving updates from the GCB management regarding recent developments under the new gaming supervision framework enacted at the end of 2024. “It is incorrect to suggest that Prime Minister Pisas has ministerial authority over the Gaming Control Board,” the statement clarified, underscoring that Pisas’s briefing did not equate to a transfer of formal responsibility.
Legal Shifts Prompt Administrative Realignment
Until mid-2025, Curaçao’s gaming regulator operated under the Ministry of Finance. On August 19, political oversight was reassigned to the Ministry of Justice, reflecting the introduction of the Landsverordening op de Kansspelen (LOK), the National Ordinance on Games of Chance. The legislation marks a pivot from primarily financial oversight toward law enforcement, regulatory compliance, and curbing illegal gambling activities.
Minister Hato now serves as the principal authority overseeing Curaçao’s gaming sector, responsible for supervising licensing, regulatory enforcement, and the overall integrity of operations. Government officials indicate that the shift strengthens the regulatory framework, aligning Curaçao’s gaming industry with international standards and prioritizing compliance and accountability.
Resignation of Supervisory Board
The CGA confirmed that its Supervisory Board resigned in mid-September, leaving the regulator temporarily without formal oversight. Commissioners Shelwyn Salesia, Robert Reijnaert, and Ildefons Simon stepped down amid political tensions within the government.
Despite the board’s resignation, the CGA emphasized that daily operations remain unaffected. Licensing and regulatory processes continue uninterrupted, including the ongoing implementation of the National Ordinance on Games of Chance, effective since December 24, 2024. The government has already initiated steps to appoint new board members, ensuring operational stability.
Continuity and Commitment
The CGA, which replaced the GCB under new legislation, reaffirmed its dedication to transparency and accountability in Curaçao’s gaming industry. “The Curaçao Gaming Authority remains dedicated to safeguarding the integrity and reliability of the gaming industry in Curaçao,” the regulator said, signaling that the recent leadership changes will not compromise oversight.
The administrative realignment from the Ministry of Finance to the Ministry of Justice, formally announced on October 13, 2025, represents a deliberate shift in focus: from financial monitoring to compliance and enforcement. By clarifying the chain of authority and maintaining uninterrupted operations, Curaçao seeks to protect both the economic contributions of its gaming sector and the trust of international partners and operators.
With this clarification, Curaçao aims to ensure that the gaming industry continues to operate under clear governance, preserving regulatory integrity during a period of transition and reinforcing the island’s reputation as a well-regulated gaming jurisdiction.
Source:
“Government Clarifies: Responsibility for Gaming Sector Falls Under Justice Ministry”, Curacao Chronicle. October 14, 2025
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