Overview
The Curaçao iGaming license is one of the most widely held online gambling permits in the world, favored by operators seeking a cost-effective, crypto-friendly jurisdiction with broad market coverage. Regulated by the Curaçao Gaming Authority (CGA), the license authorizes all major verticals including online casino, sports betting, poker, lottery, and live dealer games under a single permit.
Curaçao underwent a landmark regulatory transformation with the passage of the Landsverordening op de Kansspelen (LOK) in December 2024, replacing the legacy NOOGH framework from 1993. The new regime eliminates the master license and sub-license system, positions the CGA as the sole license issuer, and introduces formal AML, KYC, and responsible gaming obligations. Operators benefit from a 2% corporate tax rate, indefinite license duration, and acceptance across Asia, Latin America, and other global markets.
Regulatory Framework
Regulatory Authority: Curaçao Gaming Authority (CGA), formerly the Gaming Control Board (GCB). The CGA is the sole government body responsible for issuing, supervising, and enforcing online gaming licenses.
Current Legislation: The National Ordinance on Games of Chance (LOK) was approved by Parliament on December 17, 2024, and entered into force on December 24, 2024, fully replacing the previous framework.
Previous Legislation: The National Ordinance on Offshore Games of Hazard (NOOGH, 1993) governed remote gambling for over three decades. Under the NOOGH, four master license holders could issue sub-licenses to operators, with Cyberluck Curaçao N.V. (1668/JAZ) and Antillephone N.V. (8048/JAZ) being the most active.
Enforcement Powers: The CGA holds broad authority under the LOK to request data, inspect premises, impose administrative fines, issue corrective orders, and suspend or revoke licenses.
License Types
Under the LOK, Curaçao issues two primary license categories directly through the CGA, eliminating the old intermediary master license system.
B2C License (Business-to-Consumer): Intended for operators providing gambling services directly to players. A single B2C license covers all remote gaming verticals including online casino, sports betting, live dealer, poker, lotteries, eSports betting, and scratch cards. Operators may run multiple domains and websites under one license without additional permits.
B2B License (Business-to-Business): Designed for companies that supply gaming platforms, software, or critical services to licensed B2C operators. The former hybrid B2C2B model is no longer recognized under the LOK.
B2B Certificate: A new category for suppliers of non-critical goods or services to licensed operators. Valid for three years with no annual renewal fees. Requires a one-time application fee of EUR 383.
License Duration: All licenses issued under the LOK are granted for an indefinite period, replacing the previous system of three-year renewal cycles. This provides long-term operational certainty for licensees.
Capital and Financial Requirements
Curaçao maintains low financial barriers to entry compared to Malta or the United Kingdom.
Minimum Share Capital: No statutory minimum share capital requirement. Startups are eligible, though an initial capitalization of approximately USD 5,000 is recommended for entity formation.
Liquidity Demonstration: Under the LOK, applicants must demonstrate sufficient liquidity assets to cover potential future claims from players. Financial sources and ownership structure must be fully disclosed.
Player Fund Segregation: Mandatory under the LOK. Player funds must be kept separate from operational funds at all times.
Due Diligence: The CGA conducts thorough due diligence on all applicants, verifying the financial stability and reputation of the company, UBOs, and Qualified Interest Holders.
Application Process
The CGA operates a two-phase application process under the LOK framework.
Phase 1 -- Integrity and Financial Assessment:
- •Evaluates background and financial integrity of the applicant
- •Reviews identity and qualifications of UBOs, directors, and Qualified Interest Holders
- •Assesses local data storage infrastructure
- •Processing time: approximately 8 weeks, extendable by up to 4 additional weeks
Phase 2 -- Technical, Operational, and Legal Compliance:
- •Verifies compliance with technical, operational, and legal requirements
- •Reviews AML/KYC policies, responsible gaming frameworks, and terms and conditions
- •Processing time: approximately 8 weeks, extendable by up to 4 additional weeks
Total Timeline: 3 to 6 months depending on application completeness, ownership complexity, and responsiveness to CGA requests.
Provisional License: May be granted after successful completion of Phase 1 while Phase 2 is in progress. Valid for up to 6 months with a possible 6-month extension.
Required Documentation:
- •Personal identification documents for all directors and shareholders
- •Comprehensive business plan with financial projections, software details, and marketing strategies
- •Internal compliance policies covering AML, responsible gaming, and player terms
- •Gaming software and RNG certification from an approved independent testing laboratory
- •Proof of a Curaçao-registered legal entity with statutory seat in Curaçao
Fees and Costs
The LOK introduced a transparent fee structure administered directly by the CGA.
Application Fee: EUR 4,592 for both B2C and B2B license applications. An additional EUR 128 applies per UBO or Qualified Interest Holder update.
Annual Fees -- B2C Operators:
- •EUR 24,490 -- License Fee (paid to the National Treasury)
- •EUR 22,960 -- Supervisory Fee (paid to the CGA)
- •Total: EUR 47,450 per year
Annual Fees -- B2B Operators:
- •EUR 24,490 -- Supervisory Fee only
Domain Fee: EUR 250 per registered domain per year.
B2B Certificate Fee: EUR 383 one-time application fee.
Additional Operational Costs (estimated):
- •Server hosting in Curaçao: approximately EUR 2,000 per month
- •RNG certification: approximately EUR 3,200, with a processing time of at least 4 weeks
These costs remain significantly lower than comparable licenses in Malta, Gibraltar, or the United Kingdom, making Curaçao one of the most affordable regulated iGaming jurisdictions globally.
Permitted Activities
A single Curaçao B2C license authorizes all forms of remote gaming activity, a significant advantage over jurisdictions that require separate permits for each vertical.
Covered Activities:
- •Online casino games (slots, table games, RNG-based games)
- •Sports betting and in-play wagering
- •Live dealer and live casino games
- •Poker (cash games and tournaments)
- •Lotteries and lottery-style games
- •eSports betting
- •Scratch cards and instant-win games
- •Games of chance generally
Cryptocurrency Integration: Curaçao is explicitly crypto-friendly. Operators may integrate Bitcoin, Ethereum, stablecoins, and other cryptocurrencies for deposits, withdrawals, and in-game transactions. This sets Curaçao apart from jurisdictions such as Malta, which impose restrictions on cryptocurrency use in gaming.
Multi-Domain Operation: Licensees may operate multiple websites and brands under a single license without requiring additional permits or fees beyond the per-domain annual charge.
Compliance and Ongoing Obligations
The LOK introduces formal, internationally aligned compliance standards.
AML/KYC: Mandatory KYC verification for all players. Identity verification required for transactions exceeding ANG 4,000 (approximately USD 2,240). Operators must register on the goAML platform for suspicious activity reporting.
Responsible Gaming: Self-exclusion programs, restricted access for vulnerable persons, and prohibition on extending credit to players. Minimum player age is 18.
Technical Standards: Games and RNGs must be certified by approved independent testing laboratories meeting GLI standards. Infrastructure must meet CGA performance and security benchmarks.
Reporting: Real-time reports on payments, account changes, and incidents must be submitted to the CGA.
Local Presence:
- •From license grant: at least 1 Curaçao-resident managing director
- •By December 2028: at least 1 additional full-time Key Person in Curaçao
- •By December 2029: at least 3 Curaçao-based Key Persons plus a physical office
- •Temporary exemptions of up to 2 years for smaller operators
Server Hosting: Operations and servers must be hosted in Curaçao or an approved jurisdiction.
Advantages of the Curaçao License
Cost-Effective Entry: Total annual fees of EUR 47,450 for B2C operators are significantly lower than Malta (MGA), Gibraltar, or UK (UKGC) equivalents. No minimum share capital is required.
Favorable Tax Regime: E-Zone companies operating under a Curaçao gaming license benefit from a 2% corporate income tax rate on net profits. There is no gaming or betting tax on gross gaming revenue (GGR), no VAT or sales tax on gambling services, and no withholding tax on dividends distributed to non-resident shareholders. E-Zone companies are also exempt from import duties, export duties, and excise duties.
Speed to Market: The application process takes 3 to 6 months compared to 12 or more months in many European jurisdictions.
Single License, All Verticals: One license covers casino, sports betting, poker, lottery, live dealer, and all other remote gaming activities.
Crypto-Friendly: Explicit acceptance of cryptocurrency payments including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and stablecoins.
Indefinite License Duration: No renewal cycles under the LOK.
Global Market Access: Accepted across Asia, Latin America, parts of Africa, Canada (outside Ontario), Brazil, India, Japan, and South Africa. Restricted markets include the USA, UK, Netherlands, France, and Australia, which require local licenses.
LOK 2024: Regulatory Reform and Transition
The passage of the LOK in December 2024 represents the most significant overhaul of Curaçao's gaming regulatory framework since the NOOGH was enacted in 1993.
Reform Timeline:
- •November 2023: CGA began phased reform of the online gaming regime
- •December 2023: New licensing framework and pricing structure announced
- •Throughout 2024: Transitional licensing under NOOGH while LOK was finalized
- •December 17, 2024: Parliament approved the LOK by a 13-6 vote
- •December 24, 2024: LOK entered into force
Key Changes:
- •Elimination of the master license and sub-license intermediary system
- •CGA established as the sole government issuer of all gaming licenses
- •Formal separation of B2C and B2B license categories
- •Introduction of B2B Certificate for non-critical service providers
- •Indefinite license duration replacing three-year cycles
- •Real economic substance requirements including physical office and resident Key Persons
- •Formal AML, KYC, CFT, and responsible gaming obligations aligned with international standards
- •Stronger CGA enforcement powers
Transition Timeline for Existing Operators:
- •NOOGH transitional licenses remained valid until June 24, 2025
- •CGA granted a 6-month extension to select operators, valid until December 24, 2025
- •From July 2025, non-compliant operators would not receive further invoices and licenses would be revoked
- •Operators approved under NOOGH who had not received a transitional license before December 24, 2024, must enter the LOK system directly
- •By December 2029, all licensees must maintain full economic substance in Curaçao including three resident Key Persons and a physical office