License Applications Portal Now Open for Curacao Operators

Article by : Milena Petrovska Nov 14, 2023

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Curacao has been working towards reinventing its image as an iGaming regulatory jurisdiction. In September, the country launched the Gaming Control Board Portal, which is supposed to act as a one-stop destination for licensees.

While it’s been active since September, the GCB Portal wasn’t open to receiving applications.

Starting this week, sub-license holders can register for an account on the iGaming licensing hub. The website will enable operators to apply for licenses and license holders to manage their licensing.

This is where any communications between the Gaming Control Board and operators will take place, as well.

Starting 15th of November, the Portal will also allow the submission of online gaming license applications. These will be considered under the provisions of the National Ordinance for Games of Chance and issued by the CGB.

With the new Portal in place alongside the country’s new approach, licensees will have to meet strict requirements. Responsible gambling practices and anti-money laundering remain key points the regulatory body aims to address.

Only Curacao Companies Can Register an Account

For a company to register for an account and obtain a Curacao iGaming license, it must be based in the country. Having an email address associated with the Curacao company and an authorization letter from the GCB are two other requirements.

The Portal isn’t only for new licenses. It also exists to register all sub-license holders that want to keep their operations through the Curacao iGaming license. The jurisdiction has been working on a National Ordinance for Games of Chance.

Once it becomes active, Curacao will get its Curacao Gaming Authority (CGA), just like Malta and the UK, for instance. Any operators wanting to keep their license overseen by the new authority will have to register on the Portal.

The five main purposes of the website are summarized as:

• Gaming Application
• Sublicense Registration
• Ticketing
• License Management
• Account Management

Per the details on the website, there are no license fees associated with the registration. Moreover, any sublicense registration will not be considered as a license application for future application processes.

“A Momentous Day” of Curacao’s iGaming Scene

Commenting on the new Portal, Curacao’s Minister of Finance called it “a momentous day in the history of Curacao’s position as a gambling jurisdiction.” Dr Javier Silvania said the 1st of November was the “tipping point” of the complex and long process of transforming the country’s landscape.

From now on, license holders will have to ensure:

• Player management – verification and registration of users;
• Funds management – running activities associated with financial transactions, managing customers’ funds, and handling bonuses.

Overall, operators will have to meet much higher operating standards and provide better player protection.

These changes were remanded by the Netherlands’ government back in 2020. Being a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Curacao was required to step up and reform its regulations if it wanted to receive any COVID-10 financial relief.

Until recently, many cryptocurrency and other offshore iGaming brands opted for the Curacao iGaming license. A big portion of those operators provided minimal protection to customers and often offered illegal gambling services to unregulated jurisdictions.

With the new steps taken by the Curacao regulators, it’s expected for operators to work within the best international standards and practices in the industry.