The Curaçao Gaming Control Board (GCB) has announced that its licence application portal is now open for account registrations for applicants and sub-licence holders. The portal was initially opened on 1 September, providing information and forms for licence applications, but registrations were not possible until 1 November.
This portal serves two main purposes – processing new applications under current legislation with the GCB and registering sub-licensees who wish to continue operating after the National Ordinance for Games of Chance (LOK) is enacted, leading to the establishment of the new Curaçao Gaming Authority (CGA).
As of 1 November, applicants can register for an account with the GCB portal for account management, sub-licence registration, gaming applications, licence management, and the ticketing system. Verified accounts can submit completed applications from 15 November, allowing 15 days for verification before submission.
To be considered verified, accounts must be registered in the name of a Curaçao company, use a unique company email address, and have a signed letter of authorization from the Ultimate Beneficial Owner of the company. The GCB will then verify this information before the completed application can be submitted.
Successful licence applicants will receive an interim Curaçao licence and be given six months to submit further required documentation.
Dr Javier Silvania, Curaçao’s minister of finance, hailed 1 November as a landmark moment for the country’s gambling market, emphasizing the significant transition in the gambling landscape. Aideen Shortt, advisor to the minister of finance, expressed enthusiasm for the launch of the portal, with multiple accounts already opened by the early morning and traffic continuously increasing.
The registration portal’s opening marks the next stage in Curaçao’s move to implement the LOK, with the jurisdiction currently in a transition period, preparing for the new regulatory regime. In September, Silvania described the LOK as a “safety net” against grey listing, highlighting the impact of Gibraltar’s presence on the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) grey list due to its status as a major gambling hub.
The addition of Hilary Stewart-Jones as an adviser to the GCB in September further emphasizes the commitment to the regulatory development and overhaul of Curaçao’s current gambling regulations.