Curacao eGaming Casinos
The Curaçao Gaming Control Board was created in 1996 and is one of the oldest gaming industry regulators. The organisation is headquartered in the island of Curacao (former members of the Netherlands Antilles), which is located in the Southern Caribbean. Curacao eGaming was formed to issue online gaming licenses to online gaming operators such as online casinos, sports betting, bingo providers, and lottery providers. The eGaming part of the board was spun off to focus on online gaming licensing that covers all types of approvals needed to run an online gaming operation.
The CGCB is one of the biggest and most popular regulators in the iGaming industry because of its cheap gambling licenses. The island of Curacao offers these cheap registration costs because it aims to compete with other government regulators from bigger countries. Online casino operators and other gambling license seekers prefer the Curacao e-gaming license because of its cheap cost and hands-off compliance processes.
In this article, we will discuss everything you need to know about the Curaçao licensing authority and its processes. If you aim to get a business license for gambling activities, the Curaçao Gaming Control Board might be your best bet. Here is all you need to know about the CGCB.
By Adiela de Bruyn - Last modified 2024/02/08 - Estimated reading time: 10 minutes.
Table of contents
Best Curacao E-Gaming licensed online casinos
- GamesAmount of games offered400Jackpot PokiesAmount of slots with jackpot option2218+. New customers only. Minimum deposit R25. T&C apply.
- GamesAmount of games offered225Jackpot PokiesAmount of slots with jackpot option1718+. New customers only. Minimum deposit R100. T&C apply.
- GamesAmount of games offered400Jackpot PokiesAmount of slots with jackpot option2518+. New customers only. Minimum deposit R50. T&C apply.
- GamesAmount of games offered250Jackpot PokiesAmount of slots with jackpot option1218+. New customers only. Minimum deposit R200. T&C apply.
- GamesAmount of games offered5000Jackpot PokiesAmount of slots with jackpot option20018+. New customers only. Minimum deposit R400. T&C apply.
Why Does Curacao Matter to Us in South Africa?
The South African gambling industry has numerous online casino operators with an online gaming license from the CGCB. This means that there is a good chance one of the gambling websites you choose to play at could have a Curacao license. The gambling license covers multiple gambling jurisdictions and allows the gaming operators to serve users in South Africa and other neighbouring countries.
While they are generally regarded as a trustworthy regulator, they are not as strict as other licensors such as the UKGC (United Kingdom Gambling Commission) or MGA (Malta Gaming Authority). Therefore, the quality of service, casino games, and other gaming activities may not be of the same standard due to weak enforcement and lax international standards.
As a South African gambler with an account on a gambling site, it is important for you to know how this regulator operates, its compliance processes, AML policies (Anti Money Laundering), and other relevant information. Learning these helps you gain an understanding of how corporate entities with a gaming license are regulated and what this means for you.
What Does the CGCB Do?
The Curacao Gaming Control Board is dedicated to making sure that corporate entities with a gambling license provide a safe gaming environment for users. They also aim to keep casino operators fully transparent in their operating procedures and support them when needed. Their stated aim is to keep online casinos and other gaming industry participants under full compliance with their license. This ensures that the integrity of the services they offer on their websites such as casino games (poker, slots, blackjack), sports betting, bingo, and lotteries are upheld.
The Curacao gambling board has built a good reputation over the 25 years they have licensed and regulated gambling and other related operating services. Outside offering online gaming licenses, the regulator provides hosting services to gaming website operators. Through a partnership with a reliable hosting services company, the regulator is able to provide unique hosting infrastructure that is tailored to the needs of betting and gaming companies.
The CGCB also acts as an information service to any operators who run a gambling platform within their jurisdiction. This allows them to stay fully up to date with the government laws that are currently in place. On top of this, they also provide marketing solutions that offer operators the opportunity to market their services without breaking any gaming licensing regulations. It's one of the most intelligent ways of making sure casino operators comply with regulations and keep their gaming licensing.
The regulator also offers fiduciary advisory services, which caters to all the corporate needs of gambling companies. They guide operators through legislation, help set up a holding company where necessary and provide all the support the company needs post formation. The CGCB helps with the formation of corporate entities for gaming business purposes within Curaçao and in international compliance jurisdictions.
What the CGCB doesn't do is get involved with disputes. This is different from a lot of other regulators on the market. They allow affected parties to deal with their issues. It means that if you are using a casino that only has a license from the Curacao government regulator, then there is a chance that you may need to employ the services of a mediator if you have any issues at any point.
Getting A License With the CGCB
Getting a new license from the CGCB is easy as the licensing process is straightforward. The regulator has made it easy for interested parties to get a gaming license and it has divided its licenses into two: a master license and a sub license. License issuance is guided by the National Ordinance on Offshore Games of Hazard (NOOGH), which ensures gaming and betting websites licensed in Curaçao remain compliant. Its unique approach means that industry players only need one license depending on what they aim to achieve. Here is what both licenses entail:
Master License: This gaming license allows business operators to run an online gaming company and offer games (slots, poker, roulette), sports betting, bingo and other gaming services. It also gives the companies the right to give sub licenses to third-parties who want to run gaming operations but do not want a direct gaming license from a regulator.
Sub License: This gaming license grants casino business operators the rights to run online gaming companies. Holders of this gaming license are prohibited from reissuing it to other operators. Companies licensed are allowed to offer gambling services that include sports betting, table games and poker, slot games and scratch cards, live casino games, and bingo games.
With the Curaçao licensing structure, gambling companies do not need to get licensed multiple times for different gambling services. This makes it a lot easier for operators who offer a range of different services to get a license, launch their website, and begin offering games. Therefore, they won't have to carry out several different tests nor will they have to pay different tax rates for different income streams.
Before a company gets licensed in Curaçao, there are some requirements that must be met before the process can begin. These requirements help to vet the company that wishes to get licensed and it is an integral part of the licensing process.
The main requirements companies must meet to get a license in Curacao are as follows:
- Applicants must have no criminal record.
- A legitimate passport with full details of the applicants.
- The applicants must demonstrate the blocking of underage users from their site.
- Information on social responsibility and combating gambling addiction.
- The financial situation of the applicants and their ability to pay winnings.
- Accessibility and fairness of the gaming services provided by the applicants.
There will then be a set monthly fee and an agreement to follow the rules set out by CGCB and to comply with any changes to those rules. Licensed gaming companies are required to renew their license annually, as the Curacao license has a validity period of one year.
The logo of Curacao e-Gaming showing at Punt Casino.
Advantages Of the Curaçao License
Undergoing the CGCB licensing process and obtaining a gaming license from the regulator has many benefits. Here are some of the benefits Curaçao licensing gives to gaming companies:
Low Registration Fees
The lower fees in place for casino operators mean that they can offer customers better bonuses when they create an account and play games. This is possible due to smaller hits to their revenue. It also means that casinos that offer a great service but cannot afford the higher charges of some other regulators will be able to get regulated and offer their services to South African players.
There have been some issues over the years with regulators suddenly refusing licenses to gambling services based in specific countries, it means that Curacao has become almost a home to casinos that were rejected. This has given it a reputation for accepting anyone, but it's not the case. Curacao is a respectable regulatory body that has offered licenses to casinos that were suddenly left without anywhere to claim one.
Global e Gaming Operation
With the Curacao license, gambling companies will have access to more gamblers willing to play their games. The Curacao Control Board is a recognised regulator in multiple jurisdictions, which makes it one of the best options for licensing. An online gambling website that wants to reach the largest audience will be better served registering with Curaçao.
Payment Methods
Curaçao helps with the facilitation of crypto payments, which allow users to play games and fund their account (deposit and withdrawals). Cryptocurrency payments allow players to collect their winnings with minimal hassle and it improves the efficiency of the payment infrastructure. Curaçao allows its licensed gambling platforms to push boundaries with the latest technology available to them and create better experiences for their users.
Curaçao licensed online gaming providers are also able to facilitate transfers directly from South African bank accounts. These bank accounts are connected to the gambling website using secure channels that protect the personal and financial data of users.
Hosting Services
Gambling websites licensed by Curaçao can use the regulator for all their hosting needs. Through the right partnerships, the Curaçao gaming board has provided hosting services that are tailored to support gambling companies. The regulator understands the unique support required to keep gambling services online, which is why gambling platforms are better served on their hosting.
Gaming Credibility
As an online casino site just starting out, getting the Curacao license gives you credibility among gamblers. Players in South Africa and other parts of the world look out for the licensing and registration information of gambling sites. When they see the Curacao seal, they rest assured that the regulator guarantees the authenticity of the site.
Gambling Site Consultancy
The Curacao Control Board offers free consultancy services to all registered platforms. They help gaming companies navigate the uncertainties of the online gambling business by giving them the necessary tools they need to succeed. The Curacao board consultation services are free and companies are free to use them as needed.
Are They Trustworthy?
The Curacao Gaming Control Board is a trustworthy regulatory body. However, they are not as strict as the UKGC and the MGA. While this does not mean that they are not legitimate, it does mean that the casinos under their jurisdiction won't be as tightly controlled. You can trust the Curacao board as they ensure that gambling companies get quality services from any gambling site registered with their license.
Conclusion
The Curacao Control Board is one of the oldest and most trustworthy gambling site regulators in the industry. They are in charge of multiple jurisdictions including South Africa where they ensure that online casinos follow regulations and provide appropriate services to their users. If you hope to register an online gambling site, the Curacao board is cheap and offers reasonable requirements to become registered.
The CGCB offers two main licences, which are the master and sub license. These licenses allow companies to operate within the Curacao framework while offering the best services to their users. In this article, we have covered everything you need to know about the Curacao regulator including the advantages of registering with the casino and the services that they offer to their licensees.
Frequently Asked Questions about Curacao eGaming
What is Curacao eGaming?
It is a sub-licensing organization that gives gaming licenses to online gambling companies. Applicants must make a formal application and meet the requirements to become licensed by the organization.
What is an online gaming license?
It is a license that allows gaming companies to operate within regulated gambling regions.
What Curacao licenses are available?
There are two licenses available: the master license and the sub-license.
How do I know a Casino is licensed by Curacao?
Check for the Curacao seal, which should be available at the bottom of the gambling website's page.