The Curaçao Gaming Authority has confirmed that a number of gambling operators nearing the end of their second provisional licence period may continue operating while regulatory reviews are completed. The clarification, issued on December 23, addresses uncertainty for companies awaiting final decisions under the island’s updated gambling framework.
The regulator said it has not yet made a determination on whether to grant indefinite licences to certain operators whose provisional terms are close to expiring. The delay, according to the authority, stems from the scope of information submitted and the time required to review it.
“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 authority stated.
Licensing Process Under Updated Law
The current system operates under the Landsverordening op de Kansspelen, or LOK, which reshaped Curaçao’s gambling regulation. Under the law, the CGA may issue a provisional licence for six months, followed by a single six-month extension. This period is intended to allow operators to meet all licensing requirements under the new framework.
After the second provisional term ends, the law requires the regulator to decide whether an operator qualifies for a final, indefinite licence. That decision must follow the criteria outlined in Article 2.2, paragraph 2 of the LOK. The CGA indicated that completing these assessments involves detailed scrutiny.
Operators Retain Current Status
The authority stressed that the ongoing review does not alter the legal standing of the operators involved. “The CGA assessment for this group is still in progress, and no final decision has been made at this stage,” the announcement said. It added that “until a final decision is rendered and communicated to the operator, the current status remains unaffected.”
Each affected operator will receive direct confirmation from the regulator. “The respective operators will receive a separate letter from the CGA stating the above,” the authority said. This allows companies to continue operating under their existing provisional licences until reviews conclude.
The update is closely watched by offshore gambling operators licensed in Curaçao, many of whom are moving from the island’s previous licensing structure to the LOK regime as part of broader regulatory reforms.
Curaçao’s Role In Online Gambling
Curaçao has played a significant role in the global online gambling market for more than three decades. As part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the island developed into an offshore business hub supported by a mature services sector and favourable tax conditions. Alongside tourism, oil refining, logistics, and financial services, iGaming has remained an important contributor to the economy.
Gambling regulation began in 1993 with the National Offshore Gambling Decree, followed by licence issuance in 1996. For many years, the system relied on master licences and sub-licences issued by the Ministry of Justice. Although applications were theoretically open, only four master licence holders operated in practice.
Source:
“Curaçao Gaming Authority Allows Operators to Continue Under Provisional Licences Pending Final Review“, curacaochronicle.com, December 27, 2025
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