Obtaining a gambling license in Curacao

The island of Curaçao is part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located off the coast of Venezuela. It represents one of the examples of how a small island jurisdiction can create excellent opportunities to organize and conduct business in the field of gambling, creating unique prospects for a large number of gambling site operators.

In 2024, significant changes reshaped the gambling regulatory landscape in Curaçao. In the spring, a unified state regulator the Gaming Control Board (GCB) was established and began accepting license applications, effectively ending the ability of master license holders to issue sub-licenses. By the end of the year, the updated National Ordinance on Games of Chance (LOK) was finally adopted. This legislative act finalizes the overhaul of Curaçao’s gambling laws and transfers full licensing authority to the newly formed Curaçao Gaming Authority, a government entity.

Our company has successfully supported gambling projects in Curaçao for many years. We possess in-depth knowledge of the local legal environment, and our established relationships with regulatory bodies allow us to navigate even the most complex client inquiries with precision. The Law&Trust International team is fully prepared to assist you in launching and managing your gambling business under Curaçao jurisdiction.

Curacao license requirements

The local authorities have outlined an extensive list of requirements that must be met in order to obtain a license. The key ones include:

A director who is a resident of Curaçao must be included in the company’s structure.
A qualified MLRO (Money Laundering Reporting Officer) with relevant experience must be appointed.
An internal AML policy in full compliance with local legislation is mandatory.
All relevant government fees must be paid in full.

It’s important to note that the legal framework is currently evolving, so the list of requirements may be subject to change.

Required documents for Curacao

The application package must include:

Completed official application forms, including a detailed company/business questionnaire and Personal Disclosure Forms (PDFs) for all key individuals (UBOs, directors, MLROs);
Corporate documents confirming the current structure and good standing of the company;
A business plan with a minimum three-year financial forecast;
Personal documents (passport, birth certificate, certificate of good conduct) for all key personnel;
Professional and personal references for each key individual;
Proof of residential address for all key individuals;
Proof of source of funds and source of wealth;
RNG certification for games, confirming compliance with applicable regulatory standards;
Proof of the domain ownership;
Internal policies: AML KYC, Responsible gaming, and others.

Licensing process in Curacao

Company formation in Curacao

The licensing process in Curaçao begins with the incorporation of a local legal entity, which usually takes 5 to 10 business days once all documents are submitted.
Staff hunting

You need a local director and an AML officer.
License application preparing

After the company is registered and a local director is appointed, the preparation of the license application documents begins. If your internal documentation is not yet finalized, Law and Trust International legal experts are ready to assist. The timeframe for document preparation may vary depending on the complexity and scope of your project.
Software certification

Certification of your game’s RNG (Random Number Generator) must meet GLI standards applicable in Curaçao. Alternatively, we can assist you in sourcing compliant gaming software.
License application

The application is reviewed in several stages and the entire review procedure takes from 2 months to half a year.
Obtaining a license certificate and post-license obligations

Now that the license has been obtained, it is necessary to comply with all the rules on Responsible Gaming, Anti-Money Laundering, Fair Play standards and others.

Process of the license obtaining in Curacao

Once the full document package is compiled, we complete the necessary forms and submit the application via the regulator’s portal. We then maintain active communication with the regulator, resolving any follow-up queries until the license decision is issued.

Upon license approval and payment of all government fees, you can be confident that our specialists will continue to support you. Throughout our partnership, Law&Trust International remains available to help resolve any regulatory issues.

Also, upon registration we can provide a range of additional services: opening of bank and EMI accounts, establishment of a commercial agent company for you to accept payments, registration of IP objects, tax planning, preparation of annual accounts and much more.

Our Services in Curacao

opening of bank and EMI accounts,
establishment of a commercial agent company for you to accept payments,
registration of IP objects,
registration of TM,
tax planning,
preparation of annual reports,
VAT consulting,
RNG certification,
B2B licenses,
search for an AML officer.

Curaçao remains one of the most well-balanced jurisdictions for obtaining a gambling license today. Despite the ongoing regulatory tightening as oversight is transferred to state authorities, the Curaçao license continues to offer a unique combination of moderate licensing requirements and international credibility.

Law&Trust International has the expertise, local knowledge, and established reputation to guide you through every step of the process and we would be delighted to share our experience with you!

F.A.Q.

Is it necessary to open a bank account to obtain a license?

No, a bank account is not required. You can get a license for a cryptocurrency casino, a skin casino, which does not require an account at all.

Will I have access to the GCB portal?

Yes, we provide access for full transparency of the process.

How to pay the license fee after receiving the Curacao license?

Payment can be made by bank transfer or cryptocurrency to the regulator’s official segregated account.

Is it possible to get a B2B license or only B2C?

Curacao issues both B2C and B2B licenses, currently on a voluntary basis.

What is the gambling tax in Curacao?

For local companies with substance in Curacao, the tax will be 0% on all foreign income, and you can also not pay VAT. However, for all other companies, the tax will be 22%, and for work within the island, you will need to pay VAT.

Our clients