Curaçao gaming license (LOK)
Curaçao issues licenses directly from the Curaçao Gaming Authority under the National Ordinance on Games of Chance (LOK). The old master-license and sublicense system has ended; licenses have no fixed term and local substance rules phase in from 2027.
- Best for
- Established offshore operators
- Who can be licensed
- B2C operators and B2B suppliers
- Markets it serves
- Worldwide, Latin America, Africa and Asia
Curaçao licenses online gaming directly through the Curaçao Gaming Authority (CGA) under the National Ordinance on Games of Chance (LOK), in force since 24 December 2024; the old master-license and sublicense system has ended. B2C and B2B licenses are issued to a Curaçao company with a resident director, have no fixed term and stay in force through annual compliance. Plan for 3–5 months. Local substance rules tighten from 1 April 2027, when an office and a full-time local key person become mandatory.
- Status
- Licensing open
- Regulator
- Curaçao Gaming Authority
- Legal basis
- National Ordinance on Games of Chance
- Status checked
- October 16, 2026
Direct licenses under the LOK
Every license is now issued by the Curaçao Gaming Authority. B2C and B2B are separate licenses and cannot be combined.
B2C license
For operators offering casino, sports betting, poker and other games to players. Issued for an indefinite period after the second review phase.
B2B license
For suppliers of critical services such as games and platforms. Foreign suppliers can instead be registered with the CGA.
Provisional license
An operator can trade on a provisional license of up to six months, extendable once, while the second review phase runs.
What local presence the LOK requires, and when
| Requirement | When it applies |
|---|---|
| Curaçao company with its seat on the island | At application |
| At least one director resident in Curaçao (or a Curaçao corporate director with a resident director) | From the license grant |
| MLRO and a compliance officer separate from the CEO | At application |
| Office premises and one full-time local key person | Enforced from 1 April 2027 (CGA notice of 23 January 2026); smaller operators below the GGR threshold may defer but must report |
| Three local staff | From 24 December 2028, for licensees above the GGR threshold |
Where you cannot operate
| Market | Rule |
|---|---|
| The Netherlands and the Dutch Caribbean | Blocked |
| United States and United Kingdom | Blocked |
| Any market whose law requires a local license | Blocked unless you hold that license |
| Sanctioned jurisdictions | Blocked under AML/CFT rules |
What the Curaçao Gaming Authority expects
Company and directors
Curaçao company, resident managing director and the ownership chain to the beneficial owners.
Integrity and finances
Fit-and-proper review of key persons, source of funds and wealth, and financial stability (review phase 1).
AML/CFT
Risk-based AML/CFT program, sanctions screening, enhanced due diligence for PEPs and high-value players, a named MLRO.
Games and systems
Game certification from a recognized laboratory and technical documentation (review phase 2).
Player protection
Self-exclusion, deposit and session limits, reality checks and an approved player dispute mechanism.
Suppliers
Critical suppliers must be licensed or registered with the CGA; the supplier transition ends on 24 December 2026.
How the application runs
The CGA reviews in two phases of about eight weeks each, extendable. Plan for 3–5 months on a clean file, longer with banking.
- 1StructureCuraçao company, resident director and a substance plan.
- 2FileCorporate, key person, AML, technical and player protection documents.
- 3Phase 1: integrityFit-and-proper and financial stability review, about eight weeks.
- 4Phase 2: complianceTechnical and regulatory review, about eight weeks; a provisional license can bridge this phase.
- 5LicenseLicense issued for an indefinite period, listed on the public CGA register.
Ongoing obligations
- Annual license fees paid by 15 January
- Local substance maintained and scaled as the deadlines apply
- AML/CFT program, transaction monitoring and five-year record keeping
- Player protection tools and the dispute mechanism
- Using only licensed or registered critical suppliers
- Notifying the CGA of changes to ownership, directors and key persons
Key dates to plan for
24 December 2026
End of the supplier transition: licensees may not buy critical services from suppliers missing from the CGA register.
1 April 2027
Office and local key person requirement becomes mandatory, unless extended again.
24 December 2028
Three local staff required for licensees above the GGR threshold.
Every 15 January
Annual license fees due to keep the license in force.
Frequently asked questions
Can I still get a Curaçao sublicense?
No. Master licenses expired and sublicenses were replaced by direct licenses from the Curaçao Gaming Authority under the LOK.
How long is a Curaçao license valid?
B2C licenses are issued for an indefinite period, kept in force by annual fees and ongoing compliance. A provisional license lasts up to six months, extendable once.
What substance is required?
A Curaçao company with a resident director from the start; an office and a full-time local key person from 1 April 2027; three local staff from December 2028 for larger operators.
How long does it take?
Two review phases of about eight weeks each. Plan for 3–5 months on a clean file.
Is there a gaming tax?
There is no GGR-based gaming tax under the LOK; annual license fees apply, and the Curaçao company is subject to corporate income tax.
Which markets are restricted?
The Netherlands and the Dutch Caribbean, the US, the UK, sanctioned countries and any market that requires its own license.
Do my suppliers need a Curaçao license?
Critical suppliers must hold a B2B license or be registered with the CGA. After 24 December 2026, licensees may not use suppliers missing from the register.
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