CGA Targets Illegal Operators Without Curacao Licenses

Curaçao’s gambling regulator has issued a clear warning: operating without a CGA-issued license is illegal.

The Curaçao Gaming Authority (CGA) will begin issuing cease and desist letters to locally registered companies violating national law.

This action protects the integrity of Curaçao’s gaming sector, ensuring trust for players, providers, and financial institutions.

Operators must obtain a valid CGA license or face legal repercussions, including potential criminal prosecution.

Curaçao Gaming Authority Cracks Down on License Violators to Clean Up the Market

Key Points

• Only CGA-issued licenses are valid for companies offering games of chance from Curaçao under the LOK ordinance.
• Foreign B2C licenses are not compliant, and using them from Curaçao misleads players, payment providers, and platforms.
• CGA will take legal action, including formal cease and desist letters and potential criminal enforcement under Curaçao law.

Curaçao Issues Stern Warning: Only Locally Licensed Operators Will Be Allowed

Willemstad, 1st July 2025 – In a decisive move to restore order and credibility to its iGaming sector, the Curaçao Gaming Authority (CGA) has announced a firm crackdown on companies operating from Curaçao without a valid CGA-issued gaming license. The statement follows increased scrutiny of entities abusing the jurisdiction’s historic laxity by offering online gambling services under foreign licenses.

According to Article 1.2(1) of the National Ordinance for Games of Chance (LOK), it is illegal to offer or facilitate games of chance from within Curaçao unless explicitly authorized by the CGA.

“Without, or contrary to, a CGA-issued Gaming License, or without any other legal authority to do so, it is not allowed to organize, or provide the opportunity to play, any Game of Chance in or from Curaçao.” – LOK Ordinance

This legal provision makes it crystal clear: a foreign license is not valid for operations based in Curaçao. Yet, numerous locally incorporated entities continue to offer online gambling through foreign-issued B2C licenses—creating a false sense of legitimacy among users, affiliates, B2B suppliers, and payment providers.

Criminal Risk for Operators and Enablers

The CGA has warned that such practices may not only violate gaming regulations but could also constitute breaches of Curaçao’s Criminal Code. Companies that knowingly or unknowingly support these operations—such as hosting providers, payment processors, or white-label platforms—could be deemed complicit in illegal activities.

This includes anyone supplying tools, systems, or infrastructure to a Curaçao-based company without verifying its CGA licensing status.

“Those enabling such operations—knowingly or otherwise—may be complicit in illegal activities.” – CGA Official Statement

This sweeping statement sends a powerful message across the industry: compliance is no longer optional, and willful ignorance will no longer shield collaborators.

Formal Enforcement Measures Begin

To enforce the law, the CGA has confirmed that it will start issuing cease and desist letters in the coming days. These will target Curaçao-registered companies that operate under foreign licenses without CGA authorization. The letters will outline the legal violations, require immediate suspension of gambling activity, and may trigger further investigative or legal action if ignored.

The move comes as Curaçao continues to overhaul its regulatory system to align with international AML and responsible gambling standards, especially following pressure from global watchdogs and regional financial task forces.

Reform in Action: Toward a Credible Licensing Model

This announcement marks a critical phase in Curaçao’s gaming reform, which seeks to shed its reputation as a permissive offshore hub. The CGA has been actively transitioning to a modernized licensing regime under the new LOK framework, focused on transparency, supervision, and cross-border cooperation.

Operators looking to retain a Curaçao presence must now apply for a CGA license and demonstrate full compliance with its terms. This includes robust KYC, responsible gambling policies, and financial accountability.

The Curaçao Gaming Authority’s crackdown is more than symbolic—it signals a fundamental shift toward regulatory maturity. Companies offering games of chance from Curaçao without a CGA-issued license are breaking the law and face immediate enforcement, including legal and potentially criminal consequences.

As the CGA begins formal enforcement procedures, all stakeholders—from operators to service providers—must ensure alignment with the jurisdiction’s updated legal framework. The message is clear: Curaçao is no longer a safe haven for unregulated gambling, but a serious licensing hub for reputable, compliant, and transparent businesses.

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