How to Get a Curaçao iGaming Licence

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curacao igaming licence guide

Introduction

If you've ever thought of starting your online casino, sportsbook or poker room, then you've probably heard of the Curaçao iGaming licence. 

Curaçao has historically been the most convenient and operator-favourable jurisdiction for accessing the competitive and highly regulated global market.

But 2024 shook things up in a big way and changed the way Curaçao regulated licensing. 

Regardless of whether you’re starting your first venture or transitioning from a white-label or another solution, this guide is for you. 

It explains everything you need to know about obtaining a Curaçao iGaming licence in 2025, step by step, in clear and direct language, without all the fluff.

Why Curaçao And What’s Changed Since 2024

Curaçao has been a favourable option for some time now. 

In fact, for over two decades, this Dutch Caribbean jurisdiction has been the gold standard for neophytes venturing into the online gambling space and for developing a successful startup. 

  • Speed: Approvals on average can be received within 8-16 weeks, depending on the completeness of proposal documentation, whereas in Malta or the UK, the licensing time frame was much longer.
  • Costs: Costs associated with licensing and operational expenses are also marginally inexpensive relative to other tier-one jurisdictions.
  • Crypto-Friendly: Curaçao is crypto-friendly, which means operators can accept cryptocurrency, like Bitcoin or Ethereum. This aspect makes it interesting for younger people who are very privacy-minded
  • Multi-product coverage: One licence will cover casino games, sports betting, virtual sports, poker, bingo, and several other games.
Up until just a few months ago, the majority of Curaçao licences were issued under a master-sub-licence scenario. Operators would get sub-licences from one of four existing rights-holders. That changed in early 2024 with the introduction of the LOK (National Ordinance for Games of Chance).

The new system created one central oversight body, the Curaçao Gaming Authority (CGA), who have to license and now monitor operators.

This marks a transition towards increased accountability, strict compliance duties, and a clear line drawn from the wild-west connotations the Curaçao market was once known for.

The Application Process: What You’re Signing Up For

Getting a Curaçao iGaming licence in 2025 isn’t just about paying a fee and opening shop — it’s a structured process with multiple layers of review. You’ll go through two main phases:

Phase 1: Integrity Check
Before regulators even look at your business model, they need to ensure the people behind the venture are legitimate.
You’ll need to provide:
  • UBO (Ultimate Beneficial Owner) identification
  • Criminal background checks (must be clean)
  • Proof of source of funds
  • Liquidity and solvency reports
This phase verifies that your operation isn’t being backed by unknown investors or questionable money sources. If anything here triggers a red flag, your application stops cold.

Phase 2: Compliance Assessment
Now that you've proven your personal and financial integrity, you need to demonstrate that you can run your business in a safe, ethical manner and under regulations. This entails the following:
  • Submitting your AML (Anti-Money Laundering) policies and KYC (Know Your Customer) policies.
  • Proving your technical setup - including the server location, fairness certifications for games, and data protection.
  • Proving your Random Number Generator (RNG) is certified by an approved testing Lab.
  • Describing your dispute resolution, player protection, and responsible gambling standards.
Altogether, this could take 8 to 16 weeks, depending on completeness and compliance up to this point. Remediation of your documents will add time.

What Does It Cost?

Here’s where Curaçao shines for startups: it’s one of the most cost-effective options on the market. But that doesn’t mean “cheap.” You're still building a business, and the financial commitment reflects that.

Expect these major costs:
  • Application Fee: Approx. €4,600 — non-refundable.
  • Annual License Fee: Minimum €24,600 under CGA auspices.
  • Incorporation and Legal Setup: €3,000 - €5,000 depending on the service provider you choose and the entity's legal structure. 
  • Server Hosting & Compliance technology: €5,000 - €10,000+ depending on size of operation.
  • Ongoing Staff or Consultancy fees if KYC, compliance, or customer support are being fulfilled by a third-party company:  €1,000-€3,000. monthly.
The total investment you will need to get this new Curaçao system off the ground will range from €40,000 to €60,000, depending on whether your operation is thick or thin, as we say.

Technical Infrastructure: Hosting, RNG, and KYC

This is not a plug-and-play licence, you will be expected to provide details evidence that you will be capable of operational capability before launching - this includes both the technical infrastructure and operational procedures.

Server Hosting

Your servers must be either physically located in Curaçao or hosted through a CGA-approved hosting provider. This ensures data access for regulators in case of audits or player complaints.

Game Fairness (RNG)

All casino games must be powered by a certified Random Number Generator — this is mandatory. If you're licensing third-party games, the providers must have internationally recognised certifications (like GLI or iTech Labs).

AML & KYC

One of the biggest changes in 2024: KYC must happen before gameplay, not just before withdrawal. This means all players must verify their identity before they can deposit and play — including ID checks, address verification, and in some cases, source of funds.

This is non-negotiable. Failure to enforce it puts your licence — and player trust — at risk.

What the Licence Covers — and Where It Doesn’t Work

The Curaçao licence is quite flexible. You don’t need separate permits for different types of games. One licence can cover:
  • Online casinos
  • Sportsbooks
  • Poker rooms
  • Virtual games
  • Live dealer casinos
  • Bingo and lottery platforms
However, it’s not a golden ticket to the world.
You're prohibited from targeting:
  • The United States
  • The United Kingdom
  • Germany
  • The Netherlands
  • Curaçao itself
To serve those markets legally, you’ll need to obtain licences from local regulators like the UKGC, GGL (Germany), or MGA (Malta). Many founders start with Curaçao for global operations, then layer in additional licences as they scale.

Ongoing Compliance: Life After Licensing

Getting the licence is just the start. Holding onto it means staying in line with CGA expectations.

You’ll be required to:
  • Submit monthly reports — including financial statements, suspicious activity reports, and player dispute summaries.
  • Maintain AML training records for staff and partners.
  • Offer responsible gambling tools like deposit limits, self-exclusion, and reality checks.
  • Provide a working dispute resolution system (usually via email or a third-party mediator).
Random audits may happen at any time. A single failure in your process — even a delayed KYC check or missing log — could lead to a formal warning or worse, licence suspension.

Risks and Real-World Feedback

While Curaçao is improving its regulatory framework, it still carries a certain reputation in the industry.

In early 2025, Reddit users shared their frustration with weak enforcement under some Curaçao-licensed operators. 

One customer reported losing over €35,000 at an online casino that never verified his identity, despite rules requiring it. Complaints to the CGA went unanswered for weeks.

These aren’t isolated stories. 

That’s why reputation management and internal governance are more important than ever — not just for compliance, but for growth.

If you're relying on payment processors or affiliate marketers, many won’t work with Curaçao-only operators. 

This is where dual-licensing (e.g. pairing Curaçao with MGA) can make a huge difference.

Founder Tips: How to Avoid Costly Mistakes

Ready to apply? 
Here are four strategic tips to make your Curaçao licence journey smoother and more successful:

1. Get Your Documents Right — The First Time

Incomplete paperwork is the number one reason applications get delayed. Work with an advisor who understands CGA expectations inside and out.

2. Don't Skimp KYC & Compliance

Verification slip-ups can lead to legal trouble and loss you your licence. Invest in a reliable KYC provider, or set up your programme, but make sure you have strict, internal guidelines.

3. Have a Multi-Market Expansion Plan

Use Curaçao as a launchpad for growth - but don't depend on it forever. If you are going to serve Europe or other high-trust markets, have clear timelines and plans for obtaining further licences.

4. Work with the Pros

Be it for the legal set-up, software development, or compliance, you are going to save yourself time, energy, and possibly money by having someone with experience with you.

Final Thoughts

Curaçao's iGaming licence is not just a back door - it is a great first step if you are going to carry out building an international gaming business for real. 
With its straightforward application process, crypto-licence, and reasonably cheaper costs, you can understand why founders from all over the world are still choosing to use Curaçao.
But things are changing. 
Regulators are watching more closely. Players are getting smarter. And competition is fiercer than ever before.
Approach it not just as a licence — but as a foundation. 
Build it well, operate ethically, and you’ll not only launch — you’ll last.

Disclaimer:


This blog is intended for informational and educational purposes only. We do not promote or facilitate gambling activities in any country where it is considered illegal. Our content is focused solely on providing knowledge about legal and regulated markets. We only work with operators and platforms that are licensed and comply with the laws of jurisdictions where casino gaming is permitted. We do not operate or endorse any form of gambling in restricted regions. In countries where only skill-based games are allowed, our involvement is strictly limited to those games.

We believe gambling should be an entertaining and responsible activity. Our goal is to ensure that the platforms we review uphold the highest standards of fairness, transparency, and player safety.

FAQs

Ans.
A Curaçao iGaming licence is a regulatory certification that allows online gambling operators to legally offer gaming services. It’s popular due to low setup costs, fast processing, and broad coverage for casino, sportsbook, and lottery platforms.

Ans.
Typically, it takes between 4 to 6 weeks if all documents are in order. Timelines may vary depending on your business structure, compliance checks, and legal support.

Ans.
Applicants must submit identity documents, business plans, software certifications, KYC/AML policies, and demonstrate server hosting compliance (usually within Curaçao or approved jurisdictions).

Ans.
Startup costs typically range from $15,000 to $25,000 USD, depending on whether you opt for a sub-licence or master licence, and whether you include banking and legal services.

Ans.
Yes, Curaçao allows licensed operators to accept cryptocurrency payments, provided proper anti-money laundering protocols are in place and your platform meets regulatory guidelines.