Curaçao licence
A gambling licence issued by the Curaçao Gaming Authority, used by many crypto casinos; reformed under a new law in force since December 2024.
Curaçao has long been one of the most common licensing bases for online casinos, including many crypto casinos. Until 2024 most operators held sublicences under a few master licence holders, a system widely criticized for weak oversight.
What changed
The National Ordinance on Games of Chance (known by its Dutch abbreviation LOK) came into force on 24 December 2024. It replaced the master and sublicence system with direct licensing by the Curaçao Gaming Authority (CGA). The CGA has since published complaints, responsible gaming and alternative dispute resolution policies.
What it means for players
- A Curaçao licence does not authorize a casino to serve players in a country where gambling requires a local licence, such as Ontario or Alberta.
- Players now have a formal complaints and ADR route through the CGA, though how effective it is remains to be seen.
- Check the licence number on the casino's site against the CGA's own records.
Our view
A licence is a minimum, not a guarantee. It counts towards the security and licence part of our score, alongside our own payout tests.