Curaçao operators get six-month provisional licence reprieve
Caribbean gambling authorities have granted select gaming companies a vital lifeline, announcing that provisional licences originally set to expire this week will receive an additional six-month extension. The Curaçao Gaming Authority’s decision provides breathing space for operators struggling to meet new regulatory requirements under the territory’s overhauled licensing framework.
Regulator offers operators additional time to achieve compliance standards
The , delivered by the Curaçao Gaming Authority on Tuesday, confirms that both Green Seal B2C operators and B2B licence holders will continue operations through 24 December 2025. Companies that have not received specific notification regarding non-extension can consider their provisional permits automatically renewed under the same terms.
“Operators licensed by or after 25 December 2024 should be compliant or show significant progress in relation to their issued checklists including additional requirements under LOK during the first six-month period from the date of issuance of their provisional licence,” the authority stated in its official release.
Updated licence documentation will be distributed to qualifying companies no later than Friday 27 June 2025. This development comes as the territory implements its new National Ordinance for Games of Chance (LOK), which fundamentally restructures how gaming businesses are licensed and regulated in Curaçao.
Major shake-up for Curaçao’s gaming industry
Curaçao’s new gambling legislation marks the biggest regulatory overhaul the island has seen in more than 30 years. Known as LOK, the reform ends the long-standing master licence system and shifts control directly to a new government-led body, the Curaçao Gaming Authority.
Since the 1990s, just four private companies held master licences, handing out sub-licences to operators and keeping the lion’s share of licensing fees. That setup drew frequent criticism for its lack of oversight and the potential for conflicts of interest.
LOK brings a tougher set of expectations for operators. Anti-money laundering measures have been stepped up, responsible gambling protocols are now mandatory, and companies are expected to handle player complaints more seriously. One of the bigger shifts is the requirement to have a proper dispute resolution system in place, something that gives players a way to raise issues before things turn litigious.
The new regulations also require licence holders to maintain a physical presence in Curaçao, with specific staffing requirements over the coming years. Companies must employ at least one key staff member within four years, operating from permanent premises within the territory.
Political tension simmers as reforms move forward
Not everyone is happy with how the reforms are rolling out. Opposition MP Luigi Faneyte has filed , alleging that the licensing process has been riddled with corruption. In his submission, he claimed the government could face losses in the tens of millions if the process isn’t tightened, and warned those losses could grow significantly if disgruntled players begin legal action.
“This could add up to hundreds of millions in lost government revenue,” Faneyte said, pointing to alleged misconduct and money laundering during the November 2023 licensing phase.
Officials said all licence applications go through rigorous checks, including business plan reviews and due diligence, and suggested Faneyte may be representing interests trying to derail the overhaul.
In November last year Finance Minister Javier Silvania also dismissed the complaints as politically motivated. In a Facebook post, he said the old system unfairly enriched a few private entities and argued that the new framework under LOK offers a much fairer, more transparent way of regulating the industry.
LOK passed Parliament in December 2024 with a vote of 13 in favour and 6 against, reflecting deep divisions over the changes. Some critics argued that giving the Finance Ministry more power could lead to overreach. Supporters, however, pointed to potential economic gains and improved oversight as justification for the reforms.
Six-month extension signals regulator’s intent
Despite the political friction, the Curaçao Gaming Authority’s decision to extend provisional licences suggests a practical approach: give operators time to catch up, but don’t loosen the rules. Authorities are still aiming for all operators to be fully compliant by the end of the year, at which point provisional licences will need to be converted into permanent ones under the new LOK regime.
