Curacao Licensed Casinos

But where is Curacao?

Curacao is a Dutch-owned island located in the Caribbean, also known as the Netherlands Antilles. Curacao is part of the territory of the Netherlands, which makes it a European country although it is so far away from the European borders..

The island is famous for its expansive coral reefs and beaches that have extended marine life. In addition to the beautiful marine life, the island is well known in the global gambling industry for being a top online gambling and gaming license provider. Curacao has been operating the online gambling industry since the 1990s.

Curacao Gaming Authority (CGA)

Curacao is one of the most notable jurisdictions for online gambling. In December 2024, its regulatory framework underwent a massive transformation. The outdated structure, which was anchored by 4 master license holders operating under Curacao eGaming, was replaced by a transparent and more centralized regime.

Today, the Curacao Gaming Authority oversees all the gambling activities under the LOK (National Ordinance on Games of Chance). The shift from a sub-license system has changed how operators engage with the jurisdiction.

As mentioned, online casino operators operated with sub-licenses. Now, every casino must get a B2B or B2C permit from the Curacao Gaming Authority.

A B2C license applies to those gaming operators who offer games directly to players. Meanwhile, a B2B permit applies to suppliers who support casino operators (B2C) with products or services. This includes software providers such as Microgaming or Pragmatic Play.

The CGA B2B and B2C licenses are non-transferable. Plus, they require rigorous compliance to anti-money laundering, KYC protocols, and responsible gambling measures.
According to the Curacao Gaming Authority, operators must have a local presence in Curacao. This fosters closer supervision while contributing to the economic development of the region.

Worth mentioning, entities like Curacao eGaming (CEG) and Curacao Internet Gaming Association (CIGA) play no formal role in gambling regulation. Once influential, they no longer offer licenses or solve disputes. It’s the CGA that now fully monitors licensed operators, solves disputes, and enforces standards.

Recently reviewed Curacao Licensed Casinos

Most recent Curacao Gaming licenses were granted to these casinos. We recommend our visitors to read our reviews before depositing at any new online casino (especially the Curacao ones).

Why Casinos Choose to Get a License from Curacao

Most online casino operators used to prefer a Curacao license over some jurisdictions such as the UKGC or MGA. However, the landscape has changed significantly since 2024.

As mentioned, there was the introduction of LOK (National Ordinance on Games of Chance) and the debut of the Curacao Gaming Authority in 2024. This made regulations stricter and increased transparency.

Currently, most operators prefer getting a license from the Anjouan Gaming Authority to Curacao because Anjouan is less strict. Nonetheless, here are the key reasons casinos still opt for a Curacao permit:

• Global Recognition: Curacao is widely known globally. That’s because it’s more accessible and flexible than some jurisdictions.
• Modern Regulatory Framework: The 2024 LOK law replaced Curacao’s sub-license structure, creating a direct licensing system under MGA. For most operators, this improves credibility.
• Crypto-friendly Approach: Unlike some regulators such as the UKGC, Curacao freely allows operators to offer cryptocurrencies, provided they comply with AML and KYC protocols.
• Broad Coverage of Products: With a B2C Curacao license, casino operators can offer many services and products. This includes sportsbooks, casinos, and lotteries.
• Tax Advantages: With a Curacao license, operators benefit from a corporate tax rate of 2%. This is lower compared to the UKGC (19%) and MGA (35%).

Notably, old support infrastructures from Curacao eGaming such as Service Alliance and Portal Tech Support are no longer active. Through the Curacao Gaming Authority license, though, licensees can:

• Track applications
• Submit compliance documents
• Update license data
• Request tech integration support

Credit/Debit Cards

Unlike some jurisdictions such as the United Kingdom Gambling Commission, Curacao doesn’t prohibit the use of credit cards. Casino operators support well-known credit/debit cards such as Mastercard and Visa.

While these payment methods are convenient, they are pretty slow especially when it comes to withdrawals. A typical debit card payout takes 3 to 5 days.

Also, these banking options have lower deposit and withdrawal caps compared to some banking options. This limits the amount you can transact.

Prepaid Cards

Popular prepaid cards accepted at Curacao-licensed gambling sites are Neosurf and Paysafecard. With these payment methods, you can transact without disclosing your financial or personal details.

Compared to some banking options, prepaid cards have lower deposit caps. This makes them unreliable if you’d like to deposit higher amounts.

Notably, most gambling platforms in Curacao don’t accept these payment methods for withdrawals. This is despite these options having ewallet variants (myNeosurf for Neosurf, and myPaysafe for Paysafecard).

Curacao Gaming Authority Application Procedure

The Curacao casino licensing process has two phases. Each one lasts for about 8 weeks, with a possible 4-week extension.

The first phase involves integrity and financial assessment. Here, the regulator checks the ultimate beneficial owners and directors or key personnel running the business.

Additionally, the authority reviews the financial muscle of the company and evaluates AML and KYC compliance. Notably, the regulator can offer a provisional license for 6 months with a possible 6-month extension while the second phase is pending.

Phase 2 is all about regulatory compliance. Here, the operator verifies reporting systems, responsible gambling tools, and technical infrastructure. They also assess local staffing and office setup.

Licensing Fees

Compared to some regulators, Curacao operators benefit from low start-up costs. Below is a brief breakdown of the application process and associated fees:

These are not the only charges, though. We’ve not put costs for AML/KYC auditing, shareholder vetting, legal incorporation, and local office setup. That’s because some of these costs depend on factors such as the number of shareholders, types of games, human resources, and business complexities.

If we put everything together, a small-to-medium B2C casino operator may need about €80,000 to €100,000. And we’ve not factored in marketing, hosting, and integration costs. Overall, the cost is still lower than the UKGC or MGA.

Where to Apply for the CGA License

Applicants must submit the required documents via the regulator’s official licensing portal (Curacao Gaming Authority License Management Portal). Here, they must download and fill out an online gaming application form. Before submitting it, a representative of the company must sign it.

Other forms to fill out and submit are the business and corporate information and the personal history disclosure forms.

CGA Gaming License Requirements

To ensure a safe, transparent, and responsible gambling environment, CGA enforces strict requirements for license applications. For an operator to get a Curacao Gaming Authority license, the company must:

• Have a statutory seat in Curacao
• Be a legal entity under the laws of Curacao
• Have at least one director from Curacao
• Have an office in Curacao
• Employ at least 1 person from Curacao by year 4 and 3 people by year 5

Required Documentation

Applicants must submit corporate and structural documents. This includes certification of incorporation in Curacao, proof of physical presence in Curacao, and articles of association.

They must also send personal disclosures. We’re talking of identity documents, integrity declarations, and professional reference letters.

Additionally, the regulator requires applicants to have financial and compliance documentation. They must indicate the source of funds, evidence of liquid assets for prize payouts, and registration with the goAML system.

Finally, applicants must submit consumer protection documentation. This includes responsible gambling policies, technical setup including RNG (random number generator) systems, and ADR (alternative dispute resolution) mechanisms.

Reasons for License Denials

The table below summarizes situations where the Curacao Gaming Authority may deny a license application:

Curacao License Seals

The Curacao Gaming Authority has two dynamic seals. When you scroll to the footer of a Curacao-licensed casino, you’ll see green or orange licensing seals.

The green badge is for fully licensed operators. It means a casino has satisfied all the requirements and has completed all the licensing processes.

Meanwhile, the orange badge is a certificate of operations. It’s for sub-licensed operators. Remember we mentioned that CGA may grant a casino an operating certificate for 6 months pending the second phase of licensing? This is it.

When you click on these seals, you must be redirected to CGA’s official page with a display of the certificate/license. Remember, all gambling platforms must display these badges.

Anti-fraud Solutions

According to the Curacao Gaming Authority, operators must have comprehensive fraud systems in place. These include customer identity verification and real-time transaction monitoring.

They must also have secure payment protocols to detect any suspicious activity.

Additionally, casino operators must implement anti-money laundering policies. This includes CDD (customer due diligence) and registration with the goAML system. They must also report suspicious transactions to the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU).

The anti-fraud regulations are in line with international standards by the FATF (Financial Action Task Force). This ensures that Curacao’s gaming market maintains credibility when it comes to fighting crime.

Complaints against Curacao licensed casinos

If someone has a complaint against the properly Curacao licensed casino, they follow the steps bellow.

When submitting any complaint on the Curacao eGaming platform, use the desktop version and not the mobile browser version of the CEG official website.

CEG encourages its operators to handle any complaints from players before the complaints are submitted to the CEG platform. Curacao licensed casinos are expected to handle any submitted complaints within 14 days. CEG will only intervene when communication during the complaint submission doesn’t follow the set policies.

AML Certification

The CEG ensures smooth business operations for all its Curacao licensed casinos and their business partners. The Curacao Gaming Commission has many years of experience in the industry, and the CEG has great expertise when it comes to identifying red flags in the online gambling industry. The commission focuses on providing a secure and productive environment for all its operators by maintaining professional trust among partners.

Supplier Licensing for Critical Services

Under the LOK framework, CGA acknowledges the importance of critical service providers in maintaining a compliant gaming environment. B2B suppliers such as game developers and payment providers may apply for a supplier license. It ensures transparency and trust for operators looking for reliable service providers.

Reporting Unlicensed/Misleading Operators

All gambling sites claiming to operate with a Curacao license must be on the regulator’s registry. If you encounter a gaming platform operating without a valid license or falsely claiming to be CGA-licensed, you should:

• Verify the license via the official CGA registry
• Report misleading claims to the regulator via its complaint submission portal

Notably, the authority doesn’t solely use seals to verify the legitimacy of a gaming website. Instead, it relies on public listings and complaint procedures.

CGA to Take Action Against Illegal Operations

On 1st July 2025, the Curacao Gaming Authority warned Curacao-registered casinos operating without a valid license. The regulator officially considers them unlawful.

According to the authority, operating with a foreign license while still registered in Curacao creates misleading impressions. This violates the Curacao laws and is a breach of the Criminal Code.

The CGA has issued cease & desist letters to violators. Failure to abide by the rules exposes casino operators to legal consequences.

CGA Vs 3 Other Casino Regulators

Besides the Curacao license, well-known licensing bodies include UKGC, Malta, and Anjouan Gaming. We’ve compared them in the table below: