Curaçao publishes supplier rules and requires registration by December 2026
The regulatory reform of Curaçao’s online gambling market continues to advance. This week, the Curaçao Gaming Authority (CGA), the regulator responsible for overseeing the local betting and online casino industry, published a notice clarifying how licensing and registration requirements will apply to suppliers of products and services considered essential to gambling operations.
The announcement, published on 24 June, provides long-awaited guidance for technology companies, game developers, aggregators and sports betting providers that work with licensed operators in the jurisdiction. The main point is that obtaining a supplier licence will only be mandatory for companies established in Curaçao. Companies based in other countries will instead be required to complete a registration process with the regulator but will not need to obtain a local licence.
The new rules form part of the implementation of the National Ordinance for Games of Chance (LOK), legislation that completely reformed the island’s licensing framework and replaced the previous sublicensing system with a centralised supervisory regime overseen by the CGA.
Transition period ends in December
According to the notice, the transition period established under the LOK will end on 24 December 2026. From that date, all licensing and supplier registration requirements will become fully mandatory and enforceable by the regulator.
Companies established in Curaçao that provide services or products classified as critical will be required to meet two obligations simultaneously: hold a valid supplier licence issued by the CGA and maintain an active registration with the regulator.
For suppliers based outside the island, the requirements will be different. Although they will not need to obtain a supplier licence issued in Curaçao, they will be required to register with the regulator if they provide services to operators holding a gambling licence issued by the jurisdiction. The deadline to complete this registration will also be 24 December 2026.
In addition, operators licensed by the CGA will not be permitted to engage or maintain commercial relationships with suppliers that are not properly registered. The measure expands the responsibility of businesses operating directly with consumers, requiring greater oversight throughout the supply chain.
Which companies are affected
The regulator published an illustrative list of categories considered to provide critical services to the online gambling industry. These include developers of random number generator (RNG) games, live casino studio providers, poker software companies and other peer-to-peer gaming providers, lottery providers, sports betting platforms, companies responsible for bet processing and settlement, odds and sports data providers, as well as game aggregators.
The CGA noted that the list is not exhaustive and may be updated over time to reflect technological developments and changes in the market.
Reform aims to strengthen Curaçao’s reputation
For decades, Curaçao has been one of the most widely used jurisdictions by international online gambling operators due to its relatively low operating costs and straightforward licensing model. The previous system was based on a small number of master licence holders who were able to issue sublicences to hundreds of companies around the world. Although the model contributed to the industry’s growth, it also attracted criticism over limited regulatory oversight, insufficient transparency and inadequate consumer protection mechanisms.
The entry into force of the LOK marked a significant shift in this landscape. Under the new regime, the CGA now issues licences directly to operators and suppliers while also assuming responsibility for ongoing supervision, anti-money laundering enforcement and oversight of responsible gambling practices.
The reform has the potential to strengthen the international credibility of Curaçao licences by aligning the jurisdiction more closely with the regulatory standards adopted in more mature markets. At the same time, the expanded requirements represent a significant increase in compliance obligations for companies using the Caribbean licence as a gateway to global operations.
Registration process expected to open in October
The regulator stated that further details regarding the registration procedure will be announced at a later stage. The expectation is that the system will become available from October 2026, giving both domestic and international suppliers several months to complete their registration before the end of the transition period.
For companies established in Curaçao that are still operating without a supplier licence, the recommendation is to begin the application process as soon as possible. The CGA advised that applications should be submitted by 1 September 2026 to maximise the likelihood of review and approval before the new requirements take full effect.
The measure is particularly relevant for suppliers that depend on contracts with operators licensed in the jurisdiction. Without the registration required by the regulator, foreign companies risk losing clients or having contracts terminated once the transition period comes to an end.
As the December deadline approaches, demand for legal advice, compliance support and regulatory consultancy is expected to increase as suppliers and operators adapt to Curaçao’s new online gambling supervision framework.
This article was first published on the Portuguese SiGMA News page on 26 June 2026.
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