Obtaining a Curacao gambling license

Curacao is an autonomous territory of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located in the southern Caribbean Sea. The jurisdiction is known as one of the oldest and most popular centers for online gambling licensing due to its affordable cost, speed of processing and simplified requirements for operators.

From 1993 until recently, Curacao had a licensing regime where only four companies had state licenses, which in turn issued sub-licenses, which were:

• Cyberluck Curaçao N.V. (Curacao eGaming N.V., “CEG”) – 1668/JAZ;
• Antillephone N.V. – 8048/JAZ;
• Gaming Curacao (Gaming NV) – 365/JAZ;
• e-Management N.V. (Curacao Interactive Licensing NV, “CIL”) – 5536/JAZ.

However, since 2023, a regulatory reform has begun, aimed at strengthening control, increasing transparency and combating financial risks. Now operators are required to apply for a license directly to the regulatory authority, which has significantly complicated the process, but at the same time has further increased the level of trust of players and partners in Curacao licenses.

The Curacao gaming license is suitable for companies that want to quickly enter the online gambling market with minimal costs, but at the same time operate in a jurisdiction with a European legal framework. This is the best option for startups, small online casinos and betting platforms that plan international operations and obtain a license for bingo, betting or lotteries in Curacao.

• Curacao offers one of the most affordable iGaming licenses. The costs of obtaining it are significantly lower than in other well-known jurisdictions such as Malta or the Isle of Man. This makes the Curacao license attractive for startups and new gambling projects.
• The Curacao license allows operators to operate internationally and serve players from different countries (however, there are exceptions, the list of prohibited countries is constantly updated). It is ideal for online casinos, bookmakers, poker rooms, virtual sports, e-sports and lotteries.
• Unlike many jurisdictions where separate licenses are required for different types of gambling, the Curacao gaming license covers all types of iGaming – casinos, sports betting, lotteries, poker and other real money games.
• Previously, the Curacao license had a reputation for being a flexible but less tightly regulated license. However, after the 2023–2024 reform, the jurisdiction significantly tightened control over operators, which increased trust from banks, payment systems and partners. Due to this, the Curacao license is now considered a reliable choice for international gambling projects.
• Obtaining a gaming license does not require the physical presence of the founders in the territory of Curacao. All procedures can be completed remotely, which significantly saves time and resources for operators. This is especially important for companies operating in international online business.

Requirements for licensees in Curacao

After changes in legislation, Curacao has established clear requirements for companies wishing to obtain a license:

• Registered company in Curacao - the operator must register a legal entity on the island (it is necessary to appoint a local agent or resident manager to manage the company's affairs).
• Business plan: providing a detailed business plan with a description of the games and financial forecasts.
• Software certification - the presence of an RNG certificate to confirm the fairness of the games.
• Domain and servers: the presence of a registered domain and at least one physical server located on the island. The local server may have replication of certain “game” data from the company's main (external) server.
• Transparent ownership structure - it is necessary to disclose the ultimate beneficiaries of the business (KYC check).
• Compliance with AML/KYC legislation – the company must have an effective system for combating money laundering and identifying players.
• Financial stability – the availability of minimum capital to cover operating costs.
• Responsible gaming policy – ​​the company must have tools to protect players from gambling addiction.

These requirements are not exclusive and the Regulator may impose individual additional requirements for a specific licensee.

Time frame for obtaining a gambling license in Curacao

The standard process for obtaining a gambling license in Curacao takes about 6 months (depending on the case and company structure), which is much faster than in more strictly regulated jurisdictions.

How to obtain a gambling license in Curacao: stages

1. Registration of a foreign company: to obtain a license, you must first register a company in Curacao, as well as appoint a local agent or resident director.
2. Document preparation: collection of necessary documents: copies of passports, criminal records, questionnaires, applications, business plan, KYC/AML policies and software certificates, etc.
3. Application submission: the application is submitted to the Curacao Gaming Authority (CGA) along with all documents and a fee is paid.
4. Verification and obtaining a license: the regulator checks the documents, and after a successful verification, the company receives a license that is valid for 1 year.
5. Opening e-wallets and merchant accounts: to conduct financial transactions, it is necessary to open e-wallets and merchant accounts, which allows you to make payments from players and process transactions.
6. Annual maintenance of activities and license renewal: annually, the company must apply for a renewal of the Curacao license and update the documents. The regulator checks the company's activities, and after a successful verification, the license is extended for the next year. If you need to check the validity of the Curacao license, our team is also ready to help.

Campio Group provides services for obtaining a license, including for slot machines, for an online casino in Curacao on a turnkey basis, including opening electronic wallets and merchant accounts, annual support and license renewal, helping to avoid unnecessary bureaucracy and quickly go through all stages.

Curacao license cost

The price of a Curacao license is determined upon request, as the cost depends on a number of factors, such as the type of activity and scale of the business.

If you are interested in a Curacao gambling license price, we are ready to provide all the necessary information and help determine the cost.