Curaçao Issues Guidelines Ahead of Crucial March 31 Licensing Deadline

Curaçao's Gaming Control Board (GCB) has laid out essential guidelines for operators in anticipation of the approaching March 31 deadline. This deadline marks a significant shift in licensing procedures, affecting operators under the current National Ordinance on Offshore Games of Hazard (NOOGH). Applications for direct licenses under the NOOGH will cease to be available after March 31.

The guidelines, outlined in a detailed nine-page document released by the GCB, primarily address registration processes under the NOOGH, distinct from the forthcoming National Ordinance for Games of Chance (LOK). The pending LOK legislation is set to usher in a new regulatory framework for gambling in Curaçao, under the oversight of the Curaçao Gaming Authority (CGA).

Operators seeking continued operation in Curaçao's market must ensure their applications are complete by March 31. This includes submission of three essential forms: the online gaming application, personal history disclosure, and corporate and business information forms. Failure to submit necessary documents, such as police conduct reports, may jeopardize the application process.

Failure to adhere to the March 31 deadline could result in operators running afoul of the law, as emphasized by Cedric Pietersz, managing director of the GCB. Pietersz highlighted the legal implications post-deadline, particularly concerning the validity of licenses under the impending LOK legislation.

Preparations for the implementation of the LOK have been underway since last year, with the application process initiated in September. Recent developments include the appointment of advisors to the GCB board and efforts to communicate the benefits of the LOK to stakeholders. Curaçao's authorities stress the importance of the LOK in addressing regulatory shortcomings and ensuring compliance with international standards.