Australia Asks Curaçao To Crack Down on Gaming Operators Targeting the Country

Article by : Erik Gibbs Aug 9, 2023

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Curaçao is in the process of overhauling its gaming license requirements and will introduce some changes this year. However, Australia doesn’t want to wait, and Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has recently contacted the Dutch Caribbean country to force operators to stop targeting the country.

Australia stands apart from most countries worldwide and numerous US states due to its prohibition on residents accessing online casino services. Despite prior warnings from the regulator, the ACMA has recently notified Curaçao that over 90 online casinos registered in their jurisdiction are unlawfully catering to Australian residents. These gambling websites persistently flout Australian gambling laws.

The digital gambling industry plays a significant role in generating revenue for Curaçao. Although the country has only four official licenses, offshore businesses can still secure a casino license by paying a fee to the license holder. Consequently, these licenses’ legitimacy and the license holders’ identity are shrouded in ambiguity, leading to a lack of comprehension.

On the hunt for Australian residents, numerous shadow companies have caught the attention of the ACMA. It has lodged a formal complaint with the Government of Curaçao, alleging that certain operators deliberately employ Australian-centric names and promotional content to lure Aussie visitors. Despite ongoing efforts, Australian authorities remain worried about the persistent targeting of local customers by online gambling companies.

In a noteworthy event in May 2023, the ACMA expressed discontent with Curaçao’s Master Licensees’ lack of action concerning the purported breach of Australian gambling laws. A meeting was arranged in early June involving representatives from the agency and Curaçao officials, with the primary objective of addressing the concerns raised in Australia’s complaint.

As per the discussions held during the meeting, the new licensing process coming to Curaçao is anticipated before the end of this year. Under the revised legislation, existing license holders, or sub-licensees, will be obliged to request standalone authorizations to continue offering their services.

During a recent meeting, a delegation of the Curaçao Gaming Authority announced that it would give careful thought to the transgressions committed by gambling operators toward various regions, like Australia. Officials from the Curaçao government explicitly communicated to their counterparts at the ACMA that they would promptly provide them with a comprehensive roster of objectionable digital gaming firms for further action. The ACMA has the authority to immediately order ISPs in Australia to block any sites it deems inappropriate.

However, there will be noticeable effects on the performance of the online gaming industry in the near or foreseeable future once a final decision regarding this matter is reached. While Curaçao has promised to become more diligent with its oversight of gaming operators, many believe there won’t be any significant progress for several more years.