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Curaçao’s Gaming Control Board (GCB) has extended the deadline for application submissions for its new look licences by one month until April 30, 2024.
The GCB said it became aware of “certain logistical difficulties that some applicant sublicensees have been facing” ahead of its original deadline of March 31, 2024, in a press release on March 28.
It stated that “unfortunately, many applications have not been completed nor met expected standards which has inevitably resulted in processing delays to the detriment of both the GCB and the applicant entities”.
The GCB reiterated the finance minister’s commitment to ensure that efforts will be made to help business continuity for sublicensees looking to operate out of Curaçao under the transitional and intended new statutory framework.
“Applications currently in progress will continue to be processed as normal during this time. It is important to note that whilst the deadline has been extended, all other guidelines and requirements outlined in the publication regarding this deadline remain in full effect. This includes the consequences of failing to meet the new deadline,” the update states.
The GCB said there will be no additional extensions and it will not consider any requests for one.
On March 13, 2024, the GCB released a licence application process document for online gaming licences being issued by the GCB under current legislation, the National Ordinance on Offshore Games of Hazard (NOOGH).
The document states: "This process will ultimately be rolled into a new gambling ordinance (LOK) under the Curaçao Gaming Authority (the “CGA”), the successor of the GCB, in relation to which, based on the current draft of the LOK, licences granted directly by the GCB pursuant to the new application process will automatically be passported across to the new LOK licensing regime and the licence will be deemed to have been granted by the CGA."
Since November 2023, the GCB has been accepting and processing online gaming licence applications from operators that wish to acquire an online gaming licence directly from the GCB under a new application process.
The LOK would formally overhaul Curaçao’s existing licensing system, in which a small group of master licence holders effectively sub-contract their authorisation to several other brands.
But the GCB announced last year that it would begin to issue licences under a transitional model and invited companies to register their interest in becoming directly licensed — something that will be a requirement under the new law.
The draft law, known as the LOK, has faced criticism in parliament over allegations of rushed drafting, but government officials insist it is on track to enter into effect soon. It passed its first reading in parliament in early March.
