The purpose of this Portal is to enable online gaming operators to apply for a license to offer online gaming in or from Curacao (online gaming license), as well as suppliers to apply for a license to provide gambling-related critical services and goods, such as games and sportsbook software, in or from Curacao (supplier license), in accordance with the National Ordinance on Games of Chance (Landsverordening op de kansspelen, P.B. 2024, no. 157) (LOK).

Licensees will also be required to submit periodic, incident, and change reports through this Portal.

Pursuant to the LOK, it is prohibited to offer online gaming in or from Curaçao without obtaining an online gaming license. This prohibition also extends to entities that directly or indirectly control player databases and player transactions.

Regarding the supplier license, only suppliers of gaming-related critical services and goods established in Curaçao are required to obtain a supplier license. However, this requirement will not take effect immediately, but will come into force two years after the LOK entered into force.

Only legal entities established under Curaçao law, with their statutory seat in Curaçao, are eligible to apply for either an online gaming license or a supplier license under the LOK. Additionally, the entity must be managed by at least one natural person serving as a managing director who is a resident of Curaçao or a corporate entity established under Curaçao law with at least one resident managing director.

There are fees associated with applying for both an online gaming license and a supplier license. For more details on these fees, please click here.

What documentation is required for the application?

The applicant must complete the required forms provided by the CGA and submit all necessary documentation as stipulated by the CGA. For more details, please click here.

No. All applications for online gaming or supplier license must be submitted via this Portal. Applications submitted outside of the portal will not be processed or considered.

The CGA will approve an application only if granting the license does not compromise a safe, responsible, transparent, verifiable, and reliable gambling environment. The CGA will in any event (other grounds may apply) deny a license if:

a. The identity, existence, and involvement of all ultimate beneficial owners, persons with a qualified participation, and policy-makers cannot be verified;

b. Any key individual has been convicted within the past eight years for crimes related to unlawful financial gain, such as theft, fraud, money laundering, or terrorist financing;

c. The source of funds for the operation cannot be sufficiently verified or is linked to criminal activity;

d. Application fees have not been fully paid;

e. The applicant has outstanding tax or social security liabilities, is not adhering to a payment plan, or has deferred payment;

f. The applicant or any policy-maker is involved in an operation under a gambling license suspension or revocation;

g. The applicant cannot prove sufficient liquid assets to pay out expected prizes;

h. The applicant lacks a policy for responsible gambling;

i. The applicant does not provide an approved alternative dispute resolution mechanism, if required;

j. A key person in the operation is considered vulnerable; or

k. The applicant is not registered in the goAML reporting system, as required by the National Decree goAML.

How long does it take to process an application?

A license can be granted following a two-phase application process:

In the first phase the CGA evaluates the integrity of the applicant, as well as the applicant's financial stability.

In the second phase the CGA focuses on additional regulatory requirements under the LOK.

In each phase, once all necessary documents are submitted, the CGA aims to process the application within eight weeks. If more time is required, the process may be extended by up to four weeks in each phase.

What happens if the applicant does not meet all the requirements for a license?

To be eligible for a license, all applicable requirements must be met. If all requirements are not fulfilled, the applicant may be considered for a provisional license, depending on the nature and severity of the conditions that still need to be met. This provisional license will be valid for up to six months, with the possibility of a up to six-month extension based on the applicant’s progress in meeting the necessary conditions for obtaining a full license.

If the application is rejected, the applicant can file an objection with the CGA or appeal to the Court of First Instance of Curaçao. Both actions must generally be taken within six weeks from the date the decision was issued. For more information on objection and appeal, please click here. In all cases, it is advised to seek legal advice.

The terms of use regarding this Portal can be found here, terms.

The duration of the license depends on the type of license granted:

A provisional license is valid for up to six months, with a possible extension for up to an additional six months depending on progress toward meeting the full license requirements.

A definitive license is issued for an indefinite period, subject to revocation or suspension.