Curaçao’s long-awaited Landsverordening op de Kansspelen (LOK), the new gambling regulation intended to modernize the island’s licensing system, is facing mounting political scrutiny as opposition leaders demand transparency over its stalled implementation.
The LOK, which officially came into effect on December 24, 2024, was expected to replace the old “master license” model with a centralized, fully regulated framework under the Curaçao Gaming Authority (CGA). However, nearly a year later, uncertainty surrounds key aspects of its rollout — including enforcement timelines, transitional arrangements for existing operators, and the stability of the CGA itself.
In mid-September 2025, the entire CGA board resigned, citing internal disagreements and administrative gridlock. Since then, the government has taken temporary control of the regulator’s functions, raising questions about the independence of the new oversight body. Opposition figures in Parliament have called the situation “a governance failure that risks damaging Curaçao’s international reputation as a credible licensing hub.”
Local operators and international stakeholders have expressed frustration at the lack of clarity. Although the CGA published updated licence fee guidelines earlier this month — outlining pro-rata billing for 2025 and revised B2C/B2B fee structures — no official timeline has been confirmed for full regulatory enforcement. Several operators remain in a transitional “pre-approval” phase, operating under letters of intent while awaiting their permanent LOK licences.
The government maintains that reforms are progressing and that the new system will deliver “transparency, integrity, and economic growth.” Yet, critics argue that without a functioning board or clear enforcement roadmap, the LOK risks becoming another incomplete reform.
As Curaçao seeks to shed its “post-box” image and align with international compliance standards, the pressure is mounting for authorities to restore confidence and demonstrate that the LOK is more than a law on paper.
