The Curaçao Gaming Authority has issued a public warning against a group of online gambling websites operating under the “GEM55” brand name. The regulator said the platforms are not authorised or licensed and are falsely claiming regulatory approval. The notice forms part of wider efforts to protect players from misleading claims.
CGA Warns Public About GEM55 Fraudulent Domains: Summarising the Key Points
- The Curaçao Gaming Authority (CGA) has stated that several online gambling websites operating under the name “GEM55” do not have the necessary clearances. These platforms are falsely claiming regulatory approval.
- The websites have unlawfully used the CGA logo and copied elements of its Digital Authorisation Seal to mislead players. A genuine seal should link directly to an official licence certificate hosted on the regulator’s own domain.
- The CGA advised players to avoid the identified GEM55 websites and not to share personal or financial information with them. It also reminded the public to verify licence status through the official CGA licence registry before engaging with any online gambling platform.
Regulator Issues Public Warning Over Misuse of Digital Authorisation Seal
In a notice dated January 29, 2026, the Curaçao Gaming Authority (CGA) stated that the websites are presenting themselves as licensed operators without approval. It said the platforms have unlawfully used the regulator’s logo and details of its Digital Authorisation Seal. The CGA said this conduct is intended to mislead the public and advised players to exercise caution when signing up at online gambling sites.
The regulator explained that a genuine Digital Authorisation Seal appears as a green box displaying the letters “CGA” in white. When clicked, the seal should link directly to an official licence certificate hosted on the CGA’s own domain. This feature allows players to verify whether an operator is legitimately licensed.
The gambling watchdog, in the past, has taken coercive measures against illegal gambling platforms. The latest caution is part of a wider initiative to protect consumers from gambling harm while fostering responsible gambling within the remote gaming sector.
CGA Advises Players to Avoid Fraudulent Domains
According to the announcement, several domains have been identified in connection with the warning. These include gem55.net, gem55.org, gem55rocks.com, playgem55.com, and gem55my.com. The authority said none of these websites provides a valid link to an official licence certificate.
The gambling watchdog has strongly advised players not to access or use the identified websites. It also warned users not to share any personal, financial, or other sensitive information with them. The regulator stressed that engaging with unlicensed platforms carries significant financial risk.
The authority reminded the public to validate the authenticity of a CGA licence through the official registry. It was emphasised that this is the safest way to confirm whether an online gambling operator is legitimate. The CGA added that public vigilance is essential to reducing the impact of misleading claims in the online gambling market.
Last year, the CGA extended the timeline for provisional licensees, allowing operators to continue offering legal gambling services till June 27, 2026. However, a formal announcement outlining the new regulatory framework has likely been delayed, following the mass resignation of the CGA board in December 2025. No further information was available at the time of publication.