Online Casinos Licensed by Curacao Gambling Commission

The Curacao Gambling Control Board (GCB), also known as Curacao Gambling Commission is a globally recognized regulatory and licensing authority in the online gambling sector. This body regulates all gaming activities both within the country and beyond its borders. As a result, the Curacao license allows international casinos to offer a variety of gaming services, including casino games, poker, sports betting, and lotteries.

Key Facts About the Curacao Gambling Control Board

On behalf of the Minister of Finance, the GCB has been in charge of licensing and overseeing the online gambling industry since March 2020. However, this organization is currently undergoing a transition to be replaced by the Curacao Gaming Authority (CGA), that will become the sole entity responsible for licensing and enforcement after this change.

Curacao Gambling Control Board’s history began in the 1990s, right after the Curacao government became the first in the world to pass a law regulating online gambling and started issuing gaming licenses to online gambling operators. Curacao attracted many online gambling platforms due to the fast and simple licensing process, lower requirements for starting capital, and some of the lowest tax rates in the world.

In the 2000s, the commission faced frequent criticism for its loose supervision of online gambling platforms compared to the UK Gambling Commission and the Malta Gaming Authority. Since then, Curacao authority has been actively addressing concerns about players right, fraud prevention, and game security.

Latest Updates from Curacao Gaming Control Board

In 2023, the National Ordinance on Games of Chance (LOK) introduced significant reforms to Curacao's online gambling licensing system. In accordance with this, the Curacao GCB began implementing new measures to ensure a clearer and safer environment for players. Key updates impacting Curacao-licensed online casinos include:

1. Establishment of a Centralized Authority. A new regulator body, the Curacao Gaming Authority, has been formed to oversee the issuance, suspension, and revocation of license, as well as to enforce responsible gambling measures under the LOK framework.
2. Elimination of the Master and Sub-master license model. Previously, a master license, valid for five years and issued by the Ministry of Justice of Curacao, allowed holders to grant sub-licenses. This system has been abolished, along with the master and sub license structures.
3. Introduction of a New Curacao Licensing Model. Under the updated system, there are two types of license: B2C (Business-to-Consumer) for operators providing gambling services to players and B2B (Business-to-Business) for games providers, payment processors and other. Both license are valid for one year.
4. Stricter Requirements for Operators. Operators are required to establish a legal company in Curacao and open a local office, prove financial stability, and comply with stricter regulatory standards. Additionally, the costs of license and annual fees have increased.
5. Introduction of Strict Responsible Gambling Rules. The GCB has enforced measures to support responsible gambling, including self-exclusion and deposit limits. Curacao online casinos are also required to set limits on their playing time and spending.

Consider the benefits of selecting a Curacao online gambling license for casino operators.

• Global Reach: Allows gambling operators to operate in most countries around the world, except those where gambling is prohibited or where a separate license is required from local authorities.
• Larger Game Lobbies: Curacao casinos can offer thousand of titles across categories such as slots, live dealer games, and table games, thanks to partnerships with a broader array of global game providers like NetEnt, Pragmatic Play, Yggdrasil, Evolution.
• Cost-Effective Licensing: The Curacao government offers one of the most affordable licensing options with low fees and favorable tax rates.
• Multiple Deposit and Withdrawal Options: The GCB license allows accepting various payment options like cards, e-wallets, bank transfers, and cryptocurrencies.
• Simple Process: The application process is straightforward and efficient, which only takes a few weeks.
• Comprehensive Coverage: A single Curacao gambling license covers all types of online casino and sports betting products, including slots, table and cards casino games, poker and virtual poker, esports and virtual sports.

We thoroughly evaluate each Curacao casino online to only recommend the best ones. Below is an overview of how we review online gambling operators.

• Casino Licensing

  We ensure that they meet high standards of safety and legitimacy. The most important factor here is the presence of a valid license. We always use the official sources, like GCB website, to verify the license from the list of operators they regulate.

• Security Protocols

  We ensure that the online gambling sites use SSL encryption to safeguard your personal and financial information from third-party intrusion. We check that they offer secure payments with PCI-DSS compliance. Furthermore, we also look for two-factor authentication, routine security evaluations, and proper firewall protection.

• Registration Process and Customer Support

  We evaluate the registration experience for its accessibility and simplicity, checking if the process is user-friendly, what types of ID verification are required, and how quickly KYC (Know Your Customer) verification is completed.

• Casino Bonuses and Promotions

  We ensure that the online casino bonuses have average wagering requirements between 25x and 40x with a validity of 15-30 days. Rollovers like 70x and a validity of under 7 days are too restrictive. We also check for variety in welcome bonuses, reload offers bonus, cashbacks, loyalty programs, etc. to confirm they are beneficial for players.

• Game Library

  We examine the gaming library to ensure that you can play different types of game, including online slots, live tables, and crash games from renowned providers like NetEnt and Pragmatic Play. The inclusion of top providers, along with their latest releases, guarantees high-quality graphics, fair gameplay, and innovative features.

• Responsible Gambling Measures

  We assess whether the online casino implements responsible gambling measures, such as self-exclusion, deposit limits, and time-out settings. We also ensure that players can access resources and support networks, including GameCare, Gamstop, and GambleAware.

• Website Design

  We ensure that the website loads fast, offers an intuitive design, and has a user-friendly interface. For easy navigation, casino sites should have sufficient subcategories and the option to filter games by provider, type, feature, etc. Dark/night mode makes gaming at night comfortable and hotkeys on slots make gameplay easier. We also check mobile compatibility and apps for iOS and Android.

• User Experience

  We investigate user reviews and complaints from Trustpilot, Online Casino Forums, and other trusted sources to vet them. By reviewing positive and negative comments, we can provide a balanced view of the casino’s strengths and weaknesses. We also conduct ongoing research to provide our users the most relevant and up-to-date insights.

Getting a Curacao gambling license is now more convenient, with the entire application process available through an online portal. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to get a license:

1. Check the necessary criteria for obtaining a license on the Curacao GCB portal. These include having a company registered in Curacao, a local office and staff, hosting at least one physical server within Curacao, and more.
2. Prepare the required documents for license application, including passport, proof of address, CV’s of key employees, a criminal record certificate, business plans and other essential documents
3. Download three forms from the Curacao GCB portal, fill them out and upload with the requested documents to the portal.
4. Pay the application fee, now set at ANG 9,000 (approximately $5,000), following the implementation of the new laws (LOK).
5. After applying, wait for a maximum of eight weeks during which the GCB will conduct a comprehensive review and verification of the documents