With the official enactment of the Landsverordening op de Kansspelen (LOK) law, Curacao is witnessing a surge of renewed interest from industry stakeholders as it navigates a transitional phase under the new regulatory framework.

At the recent ICE Barcelona exhibition, one particular stand drew a steady flow of visitors despite being positioned in a less prominent section of the vast venue. This stand belonged to the Curacao Gaming Authority (CGA), which took the opportunity to introduce the newly implemented LOK regulations to industry professionals keen to grasp the implications of these changes.
Under the updated framework, all NOOGH-licensed operators as of December 24, 2024, have been granted a provisional LOK license, allowing them to operate for a six-month transition period until June 24, 2025. This period can be extended by an additional six months, provided the operators meet compliance requirements outlined by the CGA. During ICE Barcelona, CGA representatives engaged with operators, investors, and regulators to clarify the transition process and detail the necessary steps for maintaining compliance under the new regime.
For new applicants, the LOK licensing process is set to reopen in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, applications already in progress will continue under prior conditions without disruption. The information provided at ICE Barcelona helped alleviate concerns, leading to increased interest from potential applicants seeking Curacao licenses under the revised regulations.
Curacao’s new fee structure for both B2C (business-to-consumer) and B2B (business-to-business) licenses has also been unveiled:
Application Fees:
B2C & B2B License Application: €4,592
Additional fees per stakeholder:
€150 per Ultimate Beneficial Owner (UBO) from the second UBO onwards
€128 per qualifying position holder
€2,551 per UBO listed on a stock exchange
€128 for changes or additions of UBOs/qualifying interest
B2C Domains: €250 per domain
Annual Licensing Fees:
B2C License: €24,490 per year
B2C Supervisory Fee: €22,960 per year
Total B2C Annual Fees: €47,450, payable pro-rata upon issuance and annually by January 19
B2B Annual Supervisory Fee: €24,490
For 2025, operators holding provisional LOK licenses as of December 24, 2024, will be billed for half of the annual licensing and supervisory fees by the end of January or early February. Payments must be completed before full provisional licensing is confirmed. The revised fee structure and associated compliance costs were widely discussed at ICE Barcelona, with many stakeholders seeking further clarification on financial obligations under the new system.
To ensure alignment with international standards, the CGA has implemented a series of compliance policies, including:
Compliance Officer Role (issued December 2, 2024)
Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Measures (issued January 10, 2025)
Responsible Gaming Guidelines (currently under consultation)
Know Your Customer (KYC) Procedures
Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) and Complaints Management
Training and Qualification Standards
Technical and Security Standards
Local Hardware Requirements
Records and Reporting Obligations
To further ensure regulatory compliance, the CGA has designated approved entities for critical services, requiring licensed operators to meet local infrastructure and security standards. These updated compliance measures generated strong engagement at ICE Barcelona, as industry professionals sought to understand their evolving obligations.
Operators can continue operations during the application process if they verify their status through a Certificate of Operations. This measure helps maintain business continuity for existing license holders while regulatory updates are implemented. The CGA’s presence at ICE Barcelona reinforced this commitment, reassuring stakeholders that Curacao remains a stable and reliable licensing jurisdiction despite the changes.
The LOK reforms mark a significant advancement in modernizing Curacao’s gaming sector, strengthening regulatory oversight, and aligning with international best practices. These enhancements are expected to bolster credibility among global regulators and operators, positioning Curacao as a more structured and attractive jurisdiction for online gambling businesses. The high level of interest seen at ICE Barcelona underscores the industry’s recognition of these changes and its willingness to adapt to the new framework.
By fLEXI tEAM
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