How to Obtain a Gambling Licenсe in Curaçao: Key Nuances

Online casinos have become a great alternative to land-based gambling venues, offering a seamless entertainment experience with a wide range of options. Digital platforms operate thanks to specialised software that powers the gameplay and ensures transaction management.

Online Casino Market’s experts recommend that entrepreneurs choose the regions where it is most profitable to host a server and obtain a gambling licence. Otherwise, their activity will be illegal.

One such destination is Curaçao, one of the Lesser Antilles, where offshore companies with jurisdictional status and the right to issue permits work.

This territory allows the registration of tax-exempt enterprises and offers benefits to small and medium-sized businesses that meet local operational and structural requirements.

A special law, the Offshore Gambling Decree, regulates the entertainment sector in this country, and the Ministry of Justice issues licensing documents. A certificate holder can also transfer it, along with the rights to run a gaming business, to another party.

Advantages of Licensing a Casino in the Country

Let us consider the main benefits of this decision:

1. Here, gambling is not divided into different types, so the certification process is extremely simplified — it is not necessary to obtain a separate permit for each activity.
2. Opening a new firm in Curaçao does not require much paperwork. Besides, there are no strict rules regarding online casino software or financial metrics, so the entire process takes minimal time.
3. This region has well-developed communication and internal infrastructure, which facilitates successful business conduct.
4. No exact requirements for financial reporting.
5. No need to register an office in Curaçao.
6. High technical support indicators guarantee the absence of any problems for a registered company seeking to enter the global market.
7. Low income tax.
8. A registered enterprise can freely conduct its activities outside the region.

Documents

It is important to provide regulators with:

• copies of passport pages stamped by a notary;
• scans of utility bills (to confirm address);
• all data on your casino site and its software;
• a request to receive a gaming licence;
• information about what activities you intend to engage in;
• feedback from the bank with which you cooperate, regarding the legality of the work (on company letterhead, with a seal and signature);
• a separate form that indicates your source of income.

Taxes and Reporting

Online casinos pay a 2% corporate levy and must submit annual financial statements. There are no charges on gross wagers, import duties, sales taxes, or value-added fees. Additionally, there are no restrictions on dividend withdrawals.

Rules and Conditions

Key aspects that business owners should take into account:

1. A brand seeking to get a licence must be registered with the Chamber of Commerce & Industry as a legal entity.
2. Physical servers must be located within the country.
3. One of the managers must reside permanently in the Netherlands Antilles region.
4. Detailed information about each game must be submitted to the Ministry of Justice.
5. A company must comply with due diligence requirements.
6. Each player who has made a deposit and all iGaming programs must be provided with audit support.
7. An online casino should never serve clients under 18.
8. An operator must make a security deposit of 60,000 ANG with the National Bank of the jurisdiction.

After all the above-mentioned conditions are met, the Ministry of Justice conducts an analysis of the brand’s activities within 6 weeks and provides a response.

If everything is correct, the agency grants approval, and the firm is registered in Curaçao and gets a preliminary gaming licence. After this, an enterprise pays a monthly fee of 10,000 ANG for 2 years.

Furthermore, the company may connect additional services of 3rd-party providers, in which case it will be responsible for the legality of such offerings and the quality of the software.

The Main Things About the Curaçao Gaming Licenсe

To succeed in the competitive entertainment sector, it is important to understand how it works and what is required to launch a profitable business.

Online Casino Market’s experts will gladly help you implement an iGaming project and attract a wide audience of players.

From us, it is also possible to order the following useful solutions:

• a turnkey platform;
• a White Label resource;
• security software;
• popular content, and much more.

For all questions, please contact our managers.

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