Curaçao’s gambling sector, now under the oversight of the Ministry of Justice led by Minister Shalten Hato, is undergoing immediate and significant regulatory reform. Hato has prioritized strengthening consumer protection by overhauling the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) process ahead of the full implementation of the new LoK framework.
The reforms directly address prior criticisms concerning potential "industry-centric bias" in complaints handling. Key changes designed to ensure neutrality and integrity include:
- Banning Affiliations: ADR providers are now explicitly prohibited from having any affiliate or B2B relationships with licensed Curaçao operators. Independent lawyers are mandated to participate.
- International Access: Requirements for local incorporation or Curaçao residency for ADR entities have been removed, opening the process to certified international professionals.
- Efficiency: A major innovation is the introduction of a 90-day deadline for all ADR case handling, providing crucial certainty where no timeline previously existed.
Curaçao opposition demands clarity over delayed implementation of new gambling law
Crucially, ADR decisions are now binding only on operators, not on players. While this prevents "ADR shopping" by providers, it grants players the ability to reject an unfavorable outcome and pursue legal action, forcing operators to act with heightened caution and fairness.
These robust initial steps strengthen Minister Hato’s position following a scandal involving the former Finance Minister, Javier Silvania, who resigned amidst accusations of improperly issuing provisional licenses. Despite the political shifts, the Curaçao Gaming Authority (CGA) confirms that the LoK implementation is proceeding on schedule, marking a clear pivot toward rigorous enforcement and a strong stance against money laundering.
