Curacao Gaming License

Benefits of the Curacao gambling license

Curaçao’s license offers several attractive features:

• Quick and cost-effective. The approval process is faster and simpler than in many jurisdictions. An applicant who submits complete documentation can often obtain a license in 6–8 months. Fees are relatively low compared to European licenses. (For example, one estimate lists first-year costs around €60K and higher to comply with LOK, including application and setup.) Overall, Curaçao is known for “fast-track” applications and affordable fees.
• Easy and hassle-free. The regulatory requirements, while thorough, are not overly burdensome for an offshore license. Curaçao has a straightforward legal structure and many specialized corporate service providers. Applicants simply gather standard corporate documents, financials, and compliance policies (see “Requirements” below), and then file online. Many consultants assist clients end-to-end, making the process relatively painless (by iGaming standards).
• One license covers all verticals. Unlike jurisdictions that require separate permits for casinos, sports betting, or lotteries, Curaçao issues a single license authorizing all remote gaming activities. A wide range of games – slots, table games, lotteries, poker, sportsbook, bingo, live casino, etc. – can be offered under the same license. Operators can add multiple domains/sites under one license without taking additional permits. This flexibility greatly simplifies expansion into new game verticals.
• Low tax. Crucially, Curaçao imposes no tax on gross gaming revenue. Operators do pay corporate tax on profits, but because licensed revenue is considered foreign-sourced, the effective tax rate is very low (often structured to ~2% after exempting dividends). In practice, this “0% GGR tax” regime means licensees keep nearly all their winnings. (Corporate income tax still exists but is minimized by Curaçao’s territorial tax system.)
• Great for established operators. While still accessible to newcomers, the license is especially suited to operators who have some track record. The Curaçao brand is widely recognized in the gaming industry, and having a Curaçao license can help establish credibility with players and partners. Recent regulatory reforms (2023–2024) have also raised standards of compliance, which positions Curaçao as a more robust jurisdiction for seasoned operators.

Disadvantages of the Curacao gambling license

Despite its advantages, the Curaçao license has some drawbacks:

• Lower prestige. It generally carries less prestige and regulatory weight than licenses from major EU jurisdictions (Malta, Gibraltar, etc.). Some financial institutions and payment providers may view it as a “grey-market” license. Certain countries (e.g. USA, UK, many of Europe) do not recognize Curaçao licenses, so operators must geo-block those markets to stay legal.
• Rising costs and oversight. In recent years Curaçao has tightened its rules. Annual fees have increased (to roughly €20–25k per year), and compliance requirements (local substance, reporting, etc.) have grown more stringent. The licensing timeline can be longer than before, especially during the transition (some experts report 4–8 months end-to-end now). Companies seeking only a quick and minimal entry may find Curaçao less “easy” than in the past.
• Sublicense phase-out. White-label or sublicense arrangements (common under the old master license system) are being phased out. Any operator relying on an existing sublicense must convert to a direct B2C license, which can add complexity (see “Types of License” and “Updates” below).

Types of Curacao gaming license

Under the new regime, Curaçao issues two main license types:

• B2C Operator License: For companies offering gambling services directly to players (business-to-consumer). This includes online casinos, sportsbook operators, poker rooms, lotteries, bingo sites and the like. B2C licensees interact with end users and handle betting/wager flows.
• B2B Supplier License: For companies that support or service gaming operators (business-to-business). This covers game developers, platform providers, payment processors, affiliate networks, and other vendors. B2B licensees do not deal with the players directly; they supply technology or services to licensed operators.

White-label & sublicensing (legacy/transition): Prior to 2023, Curaçao used a master-license model with master license holders issuing sublicenses (often called “white-labels”) to others. That system is now abolished. All sublicenses have been revoked and the last master license expired on Jan 31, 2025. No new sublicenses are granted under LOK. During the transition, existing sublicensees had to apply for a standard B2C license to continue operations. After the transition period, all operators must hold a direct CGA license (B2C or B2B as appropriate).

Requirements for obtaining a Curacao gambling license

Operators must meet a number of regulatory and technical requirements before a license is granted. Key requirements include:

• Corporate structure & local presence. The gambling company must be incorporated in Curaçao (typically as an International Business Company). The law now requires economic substance: operators must have a real office address and a minimum number of Curaçao-resident employees and directors. A local manager or director and a registered office are mandatory.
• Fit-and-proper checks & UBO disclosure. All owners, directors, and key personnel must undergo background screening. Applicants submit police clearance certificates and financial references for all executives and beneficial owners. The CGA performs “fit and proper” checks: anyone with a criminal record or serious financial issues will be barred. Full disclosure of ultimate beneficial owners (UBOs) is required, and the regulator scrutinizes any person holding 10% or more of the company.
• Technical infrastructure & hosting. The gaming platform must be hosted in Curaçao or on CGA-approved servers. Redundant, secure server setups are expected. Operators must ensure high-availability and fast connections; downtime or breaches can trigger compliance action. Often a backup/mirror server in Curaçao is mandated.
• Information security & data protection. Strong IT security is essential. Gaming software must use certified random-number generators (RNGs) and be audited for fairness. All player data must be encrypted and protected according to industry standards (e.g. SSL/TLS, ISO27001 practices recommended). Regular security audits and updates are implied.
• AML/KYC & responsible gambling policies. Curaçao law requires operators to implement anti–money laundering (AML) and “know your customer” (KYC) controls. This means collecting identity documents from players and monitoring transactions for suspicious activity. Operators must also have responsible-gambling measures (age verification, self-exclusion options, betting limits, etc.) in place. Written AML and responsible-gaming policies must be submitted during licensing and enforced continuously.
• Internal controls, risk & compliance manuals. Companies must produce formal compliance manuals detailing internal controls, risk management and anti-fraud procedures. These documents are reviewed by the regulator during the application. In effect, the licensee must demonstrate robust governance (e.g. segregated duties, audit trails) before approval.
• Game testing & RNG certification. Any proprietary or third-party games offered must be certified. Operators typically submit evidence that their game logic and RNG have been tested by accredited labs (e.g. GLI, BMM) for fairness and integrity. Some jurisdictions also require ongoing testing of new games before they go live.
• Banking & payment processing setup. An operator needs a corporate bank account and payment processing ready before launch. In practice, Curaçao licensees often set up a payment agent or branch to handle gaming transactions. While licensing itself is handled first, companies usually secure merchant accounts and gateway connections in parallel. (Some experts advise having a payment or crypto-processing solution lined up in advance to avoid delays in going live.)

Costs & taxes

The costs of a Curaçao license include government fees and professional expenses:

• Government application & issuance fees. The CGA charges a non-refundable application fee of roughly €4,600 plus due-diligence fees per company representative. This fee must be paid when submitting the licence application online.
• Annual license fees & levies. Once approved, the annual licence renewal fee is about €24,000–25,000 (for a B2C license). There are also ongoing levies such as a monthly server fee (approximately €2,000/mo) for the mandatory Curaçao hosting. In total, yearly expenses to maintain the license are on the order of €30k or more.
• Corporate income tax. Curaçao operates a territorial tax system. In practice, licensees can structure payouts so that most income is distributed as dividends, keeping the effective corporate tax around 2%. Crucially, there is no gaming gross-revenue tax (0% GGR). Operators pay tax only on net profits, and Curaçao’s low statutory rates make the tax burden minimal.
• Third-party & professional costs. In addition to government fees, operators should budget for required third-party services. For example, software RNG testing and certification typically costs around €2,500. Hosting and IT infrastructure can run €3,000+ per year. Corporate services (company formation, accounting, legal) and consulting fees (for compliance documentation) add to the first-year budget. In total, a first-year budget might run €30,000–€40,000 or more, depending on the scope of the operation.
• Total first-year budget. To summarize, an approximate initial budget might include: ~€4–5k (application), ~€25k (annual license), ~€3k (tech testing/hosting), plus corporate setup and due diligence costs. Operators should obtain personalized quotes from specialists, but should not underestimate the licensing and substance requirements.

Process for obtaining a gambling license in Curacao