How Curacao's license actually works

1) What changed in a nutshell

Yesterday: the model of "master licenses" and their sub-licenses, different standards for different holders.

Today: centralized regulator Curaçao Gaming Authority (CGA), uniform rules under the new LOK (Landsverordening op de Kansspelen) law, departure from "master/sub." The transition began in 2023-2024. and took shape legally with the entry into force of the LOK on December 24, 2024.

2) Who is CGA and what does it do

CGA is a renamed and "enhanced" GCB (Gaming Control Board), empowered by a single regulator of the online sector under LOK. He is responsible for:

Acceptance and consideration of applications for licenses B2C (operators) and B2B (platform/content providers).
Approval of license terms, control of KYC/AML compliance, technical and organizational requirements.
Supervision, inspections, sanctions, as well as the organization of the process of dealing with player complaints and interaction with other regulators.

3) Moving from the old system to the new: how it went

In the fall of 2023, the regulator opened a registration/application portal for new individuals and existing sub-licensees to fix the perimeter before the LOK joined.

FROM 24. 12. 2024 LOK officially entered into force; The CGA acts as a successor in the online part, and the old procedures are transferred to new tracks.

For older licenses, a transition period was provided with deadlines and the possibility of limited renewal, after which all operators need to switch to a direct CGA license.

4) What the license now looks like in practice (in general terms)

4. 1. Types of licenses

B2C (operator): the right to offer players online casinos/bets, etc.

B2B (provider/platform/aggregator): the right to supply games, hosting platforms, anti-fraud services, payment hubs, etc.

Single point of entry and single terms no longer depend on the "master holder."

4. 2. Basic requirements for the applicant

Compliance package: KYC/AML/CFT policies, responsible play procedures, internal controls, risk assessment.

Fit and prop of key persons and UBO: trustworthiness, experience, absence of violations.

Technical base: certified RNG/games, secure infrastructure, logging, correct display of RTP/rules.

Reporting: regular GGR/payout statistics, incidents, suspicious transactions (AML).

4. 3. Geography and gray markets

The Curacao license does not give the right to violate the laws of the target countries: the CGA takes into account compliance with local prohibitions and can evaluate the operator's "track record" for interaction with foreign regulators (for example, a dialogue with ACMA in Australia).

5) Procedure: from filing to supervision

Step 1 - Registration and dossier

The applicant prepares a package: corporate documents, ownership structures, sources of funds, KYC/AML/RG policies, technical architecture and integrations (platform, providers, hosting). Registration is through the official CGA portal.

Step 2 - Technical Consistency

Games and platforms must be certified by accredited laboratories (GLI/eCOGRA/iTech Labs, etc.), infrastructure must meet safety requirements; providers and wallets - in the permitted list and with monitoring procedures.

Step 3 - Compliance Assessment and Conditions

CGA checks reliability, AML risks, responsible play procedures, transparency of bonus T & Cs and player communications. Requests for additional documents, interviews with key persons, adjustments to procedures are possible.

Step 4 - Decision and License Issuance

The license is issued with conditions (License Conditions). They include reporting obligations, notification of structure/key personnel changes, log storage, provider/payment cascade maintenance, data protection and complaint processing.

Step 5 - Post-Licensing Oversight

Scheduled and unscheduled inspections, monitoring of markets, consideration of complaints, interaction with foreign regulators. For violations - warnings, fines, suspension/revocation of the license.

6) Money and timing: What to expect

Fees and payments are published by CGA in a separate guide and are periodically updated (in 2025, updated versions of the fi-guide for LOK were released).

The timing depends on the completeness of the dossier and the readiness of the systems: the greatest delays are for AML/KYC and confirmation of beneficiaries.

The exact numbers change as you upgrade to LOK; the regulator publishes the current conditions separately.

7) What is important for the player to know

License ≠ available in all countries. The Operator shall comply with the laws of each target jurisdiction; if a country prohibits offshore services, the site can be blocked, and regulators can exchange information.

Transparency of games. RTP and rules must be available on the interface; results - on a certified RNG. Problems/disputes are first resolved with the support of the operator, in case of system violations - the regulator reacts within its authority.

8) How the "new Curaçao" differs from the "old"

Question	Before (master/sub)	Now (CGA/LOK)
Issues licenses	Master Holders + GCB	Single CGA controller
Uniform standards	Depended on the master	Centralized by LOK
Entry point	Through the Master	Through the CGA portal
Type of license	Sub-licenses under the wizard	Direct B2C/B2B
Supervision/sanctions	Diverse	Uniform procedures and public updates

9) Frequent questions (short)

Is it now "like MGA/UKGC"?

In structure and transparency - closer than before, but each jurisdiction is unique in the depth of consumer supervision and advertising. Curacao accelerates standards, but does not copy them verbatim.

Is it possible to work according to the old "sabu"?

The transition phase has ended: a direct CGA license for LOK is required; legacy documents must be brought into compliance with the new requirements.

What about crypto payments?

Possible with proper AML/KYC and tracing of sources of funds; case-by-case is solved within the framework of risk policy and LOK requirements.

10) Checklist for operator before submission

1. Map of markets (where it is forbidden to exclude, apply geo-filters).

2. KYC/AML/RG policies and escalation processes (operational guidelines, staff training).

3. Technical scheme: platform, providers, RNG/game certificates, logging and data storage.

4. Payment perimeter: PSP/wallets, transaction monitoring, SAR/STR reporting.

5. Transparent bonus T & Cs (bet limits, wagering contribution, exceptions, deadlines).

6. Readiness for CGA audits and reporting.

The Curaçao license is no longer about "master/sub" and "quick login at any cost." Under LOK, this is a centralized system with uniform rules, a single portal and an understandable cycle "application → conditions → monitoring." For conscientious operators, this is predictability and reputation, for players - more transparency. But the key principle remains the same: the license does not overturn the laws of the target countries and requires strict adherence to KYC/AML, technical certification and honest communication with the user.