The recent update to the i-gaming regulatory framework in Curacao has caused a lot of confusion and concern among Curacao i-gaming operators and those seeking a Curacao i-gaming license.
The government of Curacao is currently working on new i-gaming regulations called the "Landsverordening op de kansspelen" (LoK). Once LoK is enacted, all current Curacao i-gaming operators operating under sub-licenses of "master license holders" (such as Curacao e-gaming and Antillephone) will have 3 months to submit their applications for an i-gaming license issued directly by the government of Curacao under LoK.
Until LoK is enacted, the "master license holders" have received license extensions for at least 1 year and are still issuing sub-licenses to Curacao i-gaming companies. However, Antillephone has stopped issuing new sub-licenses, so applicants are applying to Curacao e-gaming for Curacao i-gaming sub-licenses.
To avoid waiting for LoK to be enacted, the government of Curacao will start issuing Curacao i-gaming licenses directly to Curacao operators under the existing i-gaming regulatory framework starting from November 15, 2023. These new governmental i-gaming licenses will be issued by the Curacao Gaming Control Board (GCB).
Considering these changes, Curacao companies that currently have or intend to apply for a Curacao i-gaming license have the following options:
The Anjouan Gaming License is issued by the Autonomous Island of Anjouan, part of the Comoros archipelago in the Indian Ocean. This license can be obtained by companies established anywhere in the world and covers all forms of gambling, including white label solutions. The requirements for obtaining an Anjouan Gaming License are similar to those for obtaining a Curacao i-gaming license, such as due diligence on UBOs, internal company policies, software agreements, and GEO IP location restrictions.
The Anjouan Gaming License is suitable for standard crypto casinos or Web3 casinos and allows for operations with both crypto and fiat currencies. It is important to choose a reputable provider to assist with obtaining the license, as there have been cases of local companies scamming applicants and issuing fraudulent gaming licenses not approved by Comorian authorities.
Please note that while these alternatives provide options for i-gaming operators, they may not have the same level of stability and compliance as Curacao licenses, so having a backup bank account is advisable.
The government of Curacao is currently working on new i-gaming regulations called the "Landsverordening op de kansspelen" (LoK). Once LoK is enacted, all current Curacao i-gaming operators operating under sub-licenses of "master license holders" (such as Curacao e-gaming and Antillephone) will have 3 months to submit their applications for an i-gaming license issued directly by the government of Curacao under LoK.
Until LoK is enacted, the "master license holders" have received license extensions for at least 1 year and are still issuing sub-licenses to Curacao i-gaming companies. However, Antillephone has stopped issuing new sub-licenses, so applicants are applying to Curacao e-gaming for Curacao i-gaming sub-licenses.
To avoid waiting for LoK to be enacted, the government of Curacao will start issuing Curacao i-gaming licenses directly to Curacao operators under the existing i-gaming regulatory framework starting from November 15, 2023. These new governmental i-gaming licenses will be issued by the Curacao Gaming Control Board (GCB).
Considering these changes, Curacao companies that currently have or intend to apply for a Curacao i-gaming license have the following options:
- Apply for a Curacao i-gaming sub-license from Curacao e-gaming (CEG). CEG has not changed their operations and does not plan to do so until LoK is enacted. They currently have a license until approximately 2025, and there is no guarantee that LoK will be enacted before 2025, possibly even receiving an extension until 2026.
- Apply for a Curacao i-gaming license directly from the government of Curacao. The process and requirements for obtaining a license directly are not very clear at the moment. It is expected that UBOs (Ultimate Beneficial Owners) with 10% or more ownership will have to provide fully verifiable identity information, source of wealth, and source of funds. The software used must be tested by an independent qualified entity approved by the GCB, and the company must have a process to verify the identity of players using its services.
The Anjouan Gaming License is issued by the Autonomous Island of Anjouan, part of the Comoros archipelago in the Indian Ocean. This license can be obtained by companies established anywhere in the world and covers all forms of gambling, including white label solutions. The requirements for obtaining an Anjouan Gaming License are similar to those for obtaining a Curacao i-gaming license, such as due diligence on UBOs, internal company policies, software agreements, and GEO IP location restrictions.
The Anjouan Gaming License is suitable for standard crypto casinos or Web3 casinos and allows for operations with both crypto and fiat currencies. It is important to choose a reputable provider to assist with obtaining the license, as there have been cases of local companies scamming applicants and issuing fraudulent gaming licenses not approved by Comorian authorities.
Please note that while these alternatives provide options for i-gaming operators, they may not have the same level of stability and compliance as Curacao licenses, so having a backup bank account is advisable.
