Current legislation
As of December 24, 2024, the new Landsverordening op de kansspelen (LOK), translated as the National Ordinance on Games of Chance, has officially come into effect, marking a pivotal reform in the regulation of Curaçao's online gaming sector.
This legislation is designed to further address longstanding issues and challenges within the industry, ensuring a safer, more transparent, and well-regulated environment for all stakeholders.
Recognizing the issues and challenges within the sector, the Gaming Control Board (GCB) on behalf of the Minister of Finance, began a phased reform of the online gaming regime in November 2023, laying the groundwork for the LOK's implementation. These endeavors reflect a commitment to ongoing improvements while addressing existing issues. Although not all issues and challenges can be solved at once, the introduction of the LOK as key component of the reform represents a significant step toward a more robust gaming legal framework.
With the introduction of the LOK, the GCB will be referred to as the Curaçao Gaming Authority, further solidifying its role in overseeing and regulating the gaming industry under the new legislation as a more independent organization in relation to online gaming.
Previous legislation
Before the enactment of the LOK, online gaming licenses were governed by the Landsverordening buitengaatse hazardspelen (LBH), translated as the National Ordinance on Offshore Games of Hazard.
In 2019, the responsibility for licensing and supervision under the LBH was transferred to the Minister of Finance.
Since March 2020 and up until the enactment of the LOK, the GCB was tasked with licensing of the online gaming sector on behalf of the Minister of Finance. In November 2023, the GCB, on behalf of the Minister of Finance began implementing phased reforms to prepare for the LOK.
Despite the introduction of the LOK, the LBH remains relevant based on the transitional provisions that are based on Article 15.1 of the LOK.
Complaints
Our primary role is to regulate and supervise various gaming activities conducted within or from Curaçao. We strive to ensure that gaming operators comply with the laws and regulations designed to protect the integrity of the gaming industry.
We would like to clarify that the GCB does not handle individual complaints against gaming providers. Resolving disputes between players and gaming operators is not within our mandate. As such, we do not have the authority to mediate or arbitrate in these matters. The GCB is not a civil court and cannot order gaming operators to compensate players or issue judgments. Therefore, we encourage players to seek resolution directly with the gaming providers and to contact the appropriate legal channels if necessary.
However, your complaint is important to us, as it may indicate potential breaches of the LOK by operators. If a complaint or a pattern of complaints indicates a possible violation of the law, we may take appropriate action against the operator. As part of our ongoing reform efforts, we are actively working on implementing the necessary measures to address such matters as thoroughly as possible. To this end, we will introduce a standardized claim form on our website to collect specific information. This data will be entered into a database, which we will use to support our risk-based supervisory approach. Therefore, once the web complaints form is introduced, please refrain from sending complaints to our [email protected] inbox. Please note that we will not disclose the status of any investigations or actions taken.
Disclaimer: For the purpose of user-friendliness, this website provides internal working documents, containing unofficial (consolidated) texts of legislation. Although every effort is made to provide accurate and current information, no rights can be derived from the use of the working documents. The GCB disclaims any responsibility or liability for errors, omissions, and delay in updating of any information or links, or for claims regarding the accuracy, currency and completeness of the information.