Online Casinos: New Licence Application Portal for Curacao Licence

The Curacao Gaming Authority introduced a new application process for online casinos a few days ago. Since the 1st of September, companies have been able to apply for a "Curacao Licence" on the authority's website in order to be able to offer online gambling once the licence has been granted. But what are the requirements for licensees and how does the new licensing system affect German players?

Just a few weeks ago, we at GambleJoe wondered what would happen next with the Curacao casinos. Among other things, the article talked about the fact that stricter conditions for obtaining a "Curacao licence" were to be introduced. Now the Gaming Control Board (GCB) of Curacao has launched a new licence application portal. From now on, interested gaming companies can fill out an application to hopefully receive a coveted gaming licence from the Caribbean state at the end of a lengthy process.

What are the goals of the Cuarcao Gaming Authority?

First and foremost, those in charge are likely to want to create more transparency. The previous licensing system was opaque, with the four main licensees issuing countless sub-licences over the years and losing sight of the big picture. With the new licence application portal, the Gaming Control Board wants to regain more "control".

How does the new licence application portal work?

Interested gaming companies will be able to access the official licence application forms via the GCB's online portal from 1 September 2023. Among other things, comprehensive information material on the new licensing procedure is already available. However, the Gaming Board will only accept complete applications for a "Curacao Licence" from November this year. For example, in order to have a chance of obtaining a licence, any person owning more than 10% of the relevant company will have to undergo a capital origin check.

The new licensing procedure should not only be of interest to new online casinos. Gambling operators that currently only have a sub-licence can also apply for a full licence via the new licence application portal. Currently, the majority of online casinos with a Curacao licence only have a sub-licence. Accordingly, demand for the new licence application portal is expected to be high.

After submitting a complete application in November, applicants will receive a provisional licence for a period of three months. If the applicant meets all the requirements, there is then the possibility of obtaining the coveted full licence on a permanent basis. The cost of such a 'Curacao licence' is estimated at around €20,000 per provider. Back in January 2023, we at GambleJoe reported that the reorganisation of gambling on Curacao was being delayed.

What are the implications of the new licensing system for players from Germany?

Players from Germany will only be able to play virtual slot machines for real money if the provider is licensed by the Joint Gaming Authority of the Federal States (GGL). Even a full gaming licence from Curacao is therefore not sufficient for a provider to be allowed to offer online gaming in Germany. Therefore, the new licensing system from Curacao is basically irrelevant for the legal online gambling market in Germany.

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