Curaçao Resolves Issues with 12 Online Casinos Amid Regulatory Crackdown

Curaçao Settles with Online Casino Operators Over Regulatory Compliance

The Public Prosecutor’s Office of Curaçao has successfully negotiated an out-of-court settlement with 12 online casino operators over violations related to identity verification rules. Although none of these companies admitted any fault, they agreed to pay fines and address the identified regulatory shortcomings as part of this agreement.

Investigations Reveal Gaps in User Identification Processes

The matter arose from an investigation named “Nebraska,” initiated following complaints from the Foundation for Representation of Victims of Online Gaming. The complaints alleged that certain online gambling platforms allowed players to engage in betting without undergoing proper Know Your Customer (KYC) checks, which are mandatory under Curaçao’s identification laws.

The Royal Netherlands Marechaussee’s Special Task Force, working alongside the Public Prosecutor’s Central Team, inspected 17 gambling websites as part of the investigation. It was found that some sites permitted users to deposit funds and place bets without verifying their identity, thereby breaching Curaçao’s anti-money laundering and consumer protection regulations.

As a result, twelve operators accepted fines totaling 360,000 Netherlands Antillean Guilders (approximately $200,450). Each implicated online casino was fined 22,500 Guilders (around $12,540). However, one unnamed operator failed to pay its fine and now faces license revocation and potential legal proceedings.

Curaçao Takes Stronger Measures to Enforce Gambling Regulations

This settlement represents a significant step in Curaçao’s efforts to improve the credibility of its online gambling licensing system. The country has long been known for offering a relatively relaxed regulatory framework, which attracted many offshore gambling operators but also led to international criticism for inadequate oversight.

Recently, the Curaçao Gaming Control Board issued warnings to operators providing gambling services from the island without valid local licenses. Alongside these warnings, the current settlements reflect a new, stricter enforcement approach under Curaçao’s updated regulatory framework.

The Public Prosecutor’s Office emphasized that this action marks the first time the online gambling sector in Curaçao has faced accountability for not complying with the national client identification laws.

While the fines might seem modest, they underscore Curaçao’s determination to protect vulnerable players, enhance enforcement effectiveness, and rebuild the island’s international standing. The previous era, when operators could operate with minimal oversight, appears to be ending.