Curaçao Announces New License Fees for Online Gambling

In a significant development for the online gambling industry, Curaçao's Minister of Finance, Javier Silvania, has unveiled the new license fees for both Business-to-Business (B2B) and Business-to-Consumer (B2C) gambling licenses. These changes have caught the attention of industry insiders and operators alike.

For those seeking a B2C license, an application fee of ANG9,000 (approximately US$5,000) will be required. Additionally, there will be a one-time 'Due Diligence' fee ranging from ANG250 ($140) to ANG500 ($280) per employee, depending on their role. Operators will also face an annual operating fee of ANG48,000 ($26,650) and an extra monthly fee of ANG4,000 ($2,220). Furthermore, there will be a charge of ANG500 ($280) per year per domain, with no restrictions on the number of domains. Notably, operators with a current master license will be exempt from the first year's annual operating fee.

The fees for B2B licenses mirror those for B2C licenses, including the application fee and due diligence fees. However, B2B operators will not be subjected to a monthly fee, setting them apart from their B2C counterparts.

These changes signify a significant shift in Curaçao's gambling license structure. While new application fees and increased annual fees are introduced, the reduction of the monthly fee by over 40% and the removal of domain limits are seen as attractive incentives for operators in the online gambling industry. The new National Ordinance for Games of Chance is expected to bring about a wave of interest and potential growth in Curaçao's online gambling market.