CURAÇAO SETS GUIDELINES FOR 31ST MARCH LICENSING DEADLINE
The Gaming Control Board (GCB) of Curaçao has issued guidelines for operators ahead of the critical 31st March deadline, after which registration for sub-licenses on the GCB’s portal will be closed. Applications for direct licences under the current legislation, the National Ordinance on Offshore Games of Hazard (NOOGH), will also cease to be available after this date. It’s imperative for all operators intending to continue operations in Curaçao’s market to register by the deadline.
The guidelines primarily focus on registrations under the NOOGH rather than the upcoming National Ordinance for Games of Chance (LOK), which is currently progressing through Curaçao’s parliament. Once enacted, the LOK will usher in a new era for gambling in Curaçao, with the Curaçao Gaming Authority (CGA) becoming the jurisdiction’s regulator.
Key points from the guidelines highlight the necessity of three complete forms for an application to be considered submitted: the online gaming application form, the personal history disclosure form, and the corporate and business information form. Failure to submit required documents by 31st March could result in delays, though applications from operators who are not existing sublicensees or master licensees can be submitted after the enactment of the LOK.
The importance of clear guidelines is underscored to prevent misinformation. Curaçao’s minister of finance has previously warned against inaccurate reports surrounding the LOK process, emphasising the need for reliable information from official channels.
The looming 31st March deadline poses significant implications for operators, as failure to register could result in operating illegally once the LOK comes into force. Preparation for the LOK’s implementation began last year, with the GCB opening the application process and the appointment of advisors to its board.
The enactment of the LOK is expected to address compliance issues and bolster Curaçao’s reputation in terms of anti-money laundering and know-your-customer procedures, thus providing a regulatory safety net for operators in the region.
