Offshore licenses of Curaçao and Belize

Use of offshore licenses (Curaçao, Belize)

1. Introduction

Online gambling in Nicaragua is not officially regulated - there is no national license for B2C operators. This forces private companies to seek legitimation through offshore jurisdictions, where licenses for the international market are allowed. Curacao and Belize are most in demand, although their role in 2025 differs dramatically: Curacao has reformed its system and remains a popular hub, while Belize has practically left this market.

2. Curacao licences: LOK reform and new standards

From 2024-2025, Curaçao introduced LOK (National Ordinance on Games of Chance) and created the Curaçao Gaming Authority (CGA), a national regulator that replaced the old master license system.

Key changes:

Cancellation of sub-licenses - now each company must obtain its own license directly from the CGA.
Introduction of a licensing portal for submitting online applications.
Division into categories B2C (operators) and B2B (content and platform providers).
Tightening KYC/AML and owner transparency requirements.
Transition period for old operators with gradual renewal of their permits until 2026.

Benefits for operators:

The license remains recognized worldwide.
Fast integration with international PSPs and banks.
Cryptocurrency transaction support.
The new regulatory model makes Curaçao a more reliable jurisdiction than before.

Pros for Nicaragua players:

Clear terms of payments and complaints.
Enhanced standards for data protection and responsible play.

3. Belize licences: formal existence and de facto moratorium

Unlike Curaçao, Belize has lost its status as an active online licensing center.

Since 2013, there has been a moratorium on the issuance of online gambling licenses, confirmed by government agencies.

What does it mean:

No new online licenses are issued.
The old permits received earlier have either expired or are not recognized by international payment systems.
Any sites claiming to have a valid "Belize license" are most likely to mislead users.

Reasons for Belize's refusal to license:

Pressure from FATF and international banks on AML issues.
Insufficient internal control over playgrounds.
Reputational risks of offshore used for non-transparent schemes.

Bottom line: in 2025, Belize is no longer seen as a legitimate jurisdiction for B2C operators, including those focused on Nicaraguan players.

4. Why Nicaragua operators are choosing Curacao

1. Lack of local license: Online casinos in Nicaragua have no domestic legal status.

2. Curacao flexibility: Work is allowed with any countries where the player does not violate local law.

3. International recognition: most aggregators (SoftSwiss, EveryMatrix, Pragmatic Solutions, etc.) are integrated with Curaçao operators.

4. Reliability of transactions: the license helps to open accounts in the PSP and accept deposits through Visa/Mastercard, cryptocurrencies and e-wallets.

5. Risks and responsibilities

Although Curacao's licenses have become more stringent, it is still an offshore jurisdiction where the player must understand:

Disputes are settled under Curaçao law, not Nicaragua.
There is no state guarantee of payments.
In case of violation of the terms of the contract, complaints are sent to the CGA or independent ADR organizations.
When using cryptocurrencies, separate KYC limits and procedures may apply.

6. Regulatory outlook

Regional trends (Colombia, Peru, Brazil) show a move towards national licenses and taxes on GGR. If Nicaragua decides to legalize online gambling, the ready-made Curacao model will become an example for adaptation: a transparent database, direct licensing, and AML control.

7. Conclusion

In 2025, Curacao remains virtually the only "working" offshore jurisdiction for operators focused on players from Nicaragua.

Belize has lost its significance, and applications for its licenses require verification.

It is important for players to focus on sites with a confirmed CGA license number, transparent withdrawal conditions and support for responsible play.

Final judgment:

Offshore licenses still play a key role in Nicaragua's gambling ecosystem, but the era of lax controls is over - Curacao is stepping up oversight, Belize is fading into the shadows, and international requirements for AML are turning "offshore" from a gray area into a formalized but controlled tool of work.