GCB License

Role and Responsibilities of the Regulator

The Curaçao Gaming Control Board (GCB) is the main authority responsible for regulating the gambling industry on the island of Curaçao. The organization issues licenses to online casinos and sports betting operators and oversees all land based casinos, lotteries, bingo, and other forms of gambling. It was established in 1999, with the transition to online licensing beginning in 2020. The GCB promotes transparent and fair operator practices, protects player interests, prevents fraud, and ensures compliance with all legal requirements.

How to Obtain a Curaçao License

Operators wishing to launch an online casino or a bookmaking website under the Curaçao jurisdiction must go through a strict step-by-step licensing procedure:

• Company establishment and legal registration in Curaçao.
• Appointment of a local representative and placement of servers or equipment on the island.
• Preparation of a full documentation package: a business plan, financial statements, certificate of absence of a criminal record, proof of address, and biographies of key persons.
• Completion of required paperwork, including the online application form, corporate questionnaire, and staff information.
• Passing an AML/CFT audit (anti money laundering and counter terrorist financing) and verification of the sources of capital.
• Technical inspection of software and hardware, including mandatory RNG (random number generator) certification and information security controls.
• Ongoing reporting and compliance with requirements on transparency, financial stability, and the protection of player funds.

The license is valid for one year and must be renewed annually, with renewal fees paid and updated reports submitted.

Fairness Oversight, Player Protection and Responsibility

The Curaçao GCB places strong emphasis on the protection of player rights. The regulator enforces responsible gambling rules, requires strict age verification, and mandates preventive campaigns against gambling addiction. All operators must provide self restriction tools, including deposit and betting limits and options for temporary or permanent account blocking. Player funds must be kept separate from company funds, ensuring their safety even in the event of financial difficulties faced by the operator.

To obtain and hold a license, operators undergo regular audits, including reviews of platform performance, data security, payout accuracy, and game mechanics. AML controls are also applied, including reporting of suspicious activity, integration with the international goAML platform, and mandatory transaction monitoring for money laundering risks. Additional requirements cover liquidity levels, business transparency, and the regular publication of financial reports.

Legislation Development and Updated Requirements

From 2024, a new law known as the LOK has come into force in Curaçao, significantly tightening regulatory oversight. It strengthens control procedures, raises requirements for asset protection and business transparency, and intensifies measures against illegal gambling. All companies must now complete online registration through the official portal, with a new system for submitting applications and enhanced screening of key individuals. Previous sub-licenses are being abolished, while the validity of the former master licenses ended in January 2025. As a result, all operators are required to urgently transition to the new licensing framework.

Monitoring System and Market Influence

The Curaçao Gaming Control Board implements digital oversight tools, works with the International Association of Gaming Regulators (IAGR), and takes part in the exchange of expertise with regulators from Europe, the Americas, and Asia, allowing it to quickly introduce new protection standards, adjust licensing conditions, and make regulation more effective.

Thanks to strict requirements and continuous supervision, Curaçao remains one of the key authorities in the gambling industry, and its license is considered universal and convenient for large operators.

Conclusion

The Curaçao Gaming Control Board is building a modern regulatory framework in which fairness, security, and transparency are not merely statements but core principles. All market participants operate under uniform rules, while the interests of both players and operators are protected on a legislative level. Continuous improvement of standards, the adoption of digital solutions, and open, constructive dialogue with operators make the gambling industry in Curaçao clear, legal, and reliable for thousands of users worldwide.

Historical Reference

What Is the Difference Between a Curaçao Gaming Control Board License and the “Ordinary” Curaçao License:

The key difference is that the Curaçao Gaming Control Board (GCB) is now the only official state regulator that directly issues all gambling licenses in Curaçao, whereas the term “Curaçao license” usually refers to the former sub-licensing system, which has been abolished. Since 2023, all operators are required to obtain their licenses directly from the GCB, making the process centralized, more transparent, and more stringent.

Previously, licensing operated through private holders of so-called master licenses, who issued sub-licenses to numerous operators. The new LOK legislation eliminated this model and established a single authority responsible for regulating and overseeing the entire gambling industry on the island.