The Curacao Gaming Authority (CGA) issued a stern warning to offshore gambling sites operating in Curacao without a CGA licence, labelling them as illegal. This marks a significant shift in how the gambling watchdog handles illicit gambling platforms. The warning is part of a broader effort by the Curacao Gaming Authority to establish itself as a responsible gambling regulator and shed its image as a haven for black market gambling operations.
Inside CGA’s Warning: Main Points
- According to Article 2.1 (1) of the Curacao National Ordinance for Games of Chance (LOK), every operator offering games of chance within the country’s borders must possess a valid licence from the CGA.
- The CGA announced that offenders will soon receive cease-and-desist letters followed by strict enforcement in case of non-compliance.
- The announcement comes in the wake of the CGA’s decision to overhaul existing legislation and keep up with the demands of the dynamic iGaming market.
Gambling Operators in Curacao Must Possess a CGA Licence
The Curacao Gaming Authority has launched a nationwide enforcement campaign against offshore gambling operators targeting consumers within the country. Several Curacao-based companies are currently offering iGaming services to players within the country, using offshore licences from regulators in Anjouan, Tobique, and Kahnawake.
This is strictly prohibited under Curacao’s laws. Cedric Pietersz, Managing Director of Curacao Gaming Authority, reiterated the regulator’s stance in a press briefing. “I believe we have become more assertive when we identify certain developments. Our goal is to ensure operators remain fully compliant,” he said.
Under Article 1.2 (1) of the Curacao National Ordinance for Games of Chance (LOK), any firm offering games of chance from Curacao must have a valid licence from the CGA. As a result, gambling firms based in Curacao that are operating without a valid gaming licence from the CGA are in clear violation of local law.
The CGA also warns that violators are in breach not only of local gambling laws but also of Curacao’s criminal code. “Many Curacao-based gaming firms operate using offshore B2C licences. This is not only illegal, but also creates a false sense of security, misleading third parties,” a statement from the CGA read.
Companies violating the law can soon expect a cease-and-desist letter from the gambling watchdog. The CGA will start doling out warnings in the coming days, followed by strict enforcement in case of non-compliance. Curacao’s new strategy aims to address long-standing security concerns and restore confidence in the gambling regulator.
Effective Regulatory Enforcement is Non-Negotiable
Curacao has long been under the radar of foreign jurisdictions for its leniency toward island-based operators targeting consumers beyond its borders, raising concern among various nations. Japan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, for instance, has been quite vocal in its criticism, repeatedly requesting that the CGA ban operators targeting Japanese consumers.
Japanese authorities claim such operators evade local laws and taxes and neglect established player protection protocols. The CGA’s renewed effort to rein in illicit gambling operators follows its recent overhauling of the regulatory regime, introducing stricter regulatory compliance. The CGA has extended the deadline for compliance till December 24, 2025, giving operators some breathing room.
Licensed operators must submit financial reports regularly, maintain records of operational integrity, and implement responsible gambling protocols, including tools to identify and support problem gamblers and self-exclusion options. The regulator’s efforts will only bear fruit if enforcement is strict.
The CGA’s regulations were, for a long time, deemed more theoretical than practical. However, the regulator has set out to change that perception. The current crackdown on unlicensed gambling operators and the overhauling of existing regulations are all steps in the right direction.
Establishing trust could attract higher-quality investors and international partnerships, improving the CGA’s perception across the industry. Failing to do so will continue to attract criticism from foreign governments. The coming days will be the real test for the regulator as it steps up efforts to join the elite club of global regulators.