Curaçao Gambling System—Complete Guide 2023

Curaçao is known as an online gaming haven. Several hundred companies have obtained licenses from there, thanks to the island’s simple licensing process.

If you haven’t heard about Curaçao yet, read this article to learn about the benefits of its gaming licensing system. We also prepared a step-by-step guide to obtaining a license and complying with regulatory requirements.

Highlights

1. Curaçao’s gaming license and the online gambling industry
2. Who are the regulators?
3. Types of licenses
4. Requirements for obtaining a Curaçao gaming license
5. Application for a sub-license
6. FAQ

Curaçao gaming license and online gambling industry 

Curaçao’s economy highly relies on its iGaming industry, which was legalized by the National Ordinance on Offshore Hazards in 1996. Since then, the island has had almost 30 years to develop an efficient gaming license process for companies. At the moment, the island has provided 450 gaming licenses for online gambling businesses. The issuing process is simple in comparison to other countries, and it doesn’t require huge investments to get a license. This has made Curaçao a hub for companies wishing to obtain gaming licenses.

Who are the regulators? 

The Curaçao Gaming Control Board (GCB) is charged with licensing and supervision of the Curaçao online gaming sector on behalf of the Minister of Finance. As such, the GCB is the main licensing authority and AML/CFT supervisor for the gaming industry in Curaçao. 

The Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) is a specialized unit within the Ministry of Finance responsible for receiving, analyzing, and disseminating information related to money laundering and terrorist financing.

Advantages of obtaining a gaming license in Curaçao

Generally, gambling companies need to obtain a license not just for compliance reasons, but to establish their credibility and improve the reputation of the iGaming industry as a whole. Holding a license also suggests that the business is legitimate and can be trusted when opening financial accounts. 

When it comes to obtaining a license in Curaçao, there are several benefits. For example: 

• Affordability: to obtain the license, a company would need to spend approximately £23,500 ($29,000)
• Timing: authorities can issue a license within several weeks after the application has been submitted
• All-in-one: the gaming license covers all types of gaming activities, making it easier for a company to expand its number of provided services
• Taxing: companies pay 0% corporate income tax and 2% of net gains tax

The government of Curaçao is currently working to develop an even more simplified version of the licensing process, making the procedure even cheaper. However, it’s not clear yet when the changes will be implemented.

Sumsub will be following the developments. If you want to be the first to learn about any updates to licensing requirements in Curaçao, subscribe to our newsletter.

Types of licenses

There are two types of licenses in Curaçao: 

• Master licenses 
• Sub-licenses

Master license holders have the ability to issue sub-licenses to gambling entities. Therefore, companies wishing to obtain a license can either apply to the Gaming Control Board, which operates on behalf of the Justice Minister, or obtain a sub-license from a master license holder. 

Requirements for obtaining a Curaçao online gaming license

While it’s relatively easy to obtain a license in Curaçao, companies still need to meet the licensor’s requirements. This means:

• Complying with Customer Due Diligence (CDD)
• ImplementingKnow Your Customer (KYC) solution
• Identifying and reporting Ultimate Beneficial Owners (UBOs)
• Providing an overview of its gambling activities 

Application for a sub-license 

After a company is certain that it complies with the regulations, it should prepare all the necessary documents to obtain a sub-license from a master license holder. The person applying on behalf of a company should provide: 

• Copy of passport
• Resume
• Certificate of good conduct
• Bank reference letter
• Utility bill
• Police clearance certificate
• Professional reference letter
• Proof of domain ownership
• Details of used software
• Copy of terms and conditions

After all this is submitted, the company should expect to get a license within six weeks.

FAQ

• What is a Curaçao online gaming license?

  It’s a license that allows gambling companies to legally operate worldwide. Holding a Curaçao’s license also suggests that the business is legitimate and can be trusted when opening financial accounts.

• How do I get a gaming license in Curaçao?

  A company wishing to obtain a license has to open a business in Curaçao, ensure it complies with the regulations, and collect all the necessary documents, which include:

  • Copy of passport
  • Resume
  • Certificate of good conduct
  • Bank reference letter
  • Utility bill
  • Police clearance certificate
  • Professional reference letter
  • Details of used software
  • Proof of domain ownership
  • Copy of terms and conditions

• Where the Curaçao gambling license can operate

  The Curaçao gaming license allows companies to accept players from all over the world unless specified otherwise. Some countries that don’t permit use of gaming websites with Curaçao licenses are Belize, UK, US, Germany, Netherlands, and Curaçao itself.

• How much does it cost to get a Curaçao license?

  At the moment, the approximate cost of the license is £23,500 ($29,000). However, the country is planning to make the licensing cost even cheaper.