Curaçao Confirms December 24 Deadline for Supplier Licensing
Jacob Mitchell 
Key Takeaways:
- Curaçao Gaming Authority confirmed December 24 deadline for supplier licensing.
- New rules conclude a two-year transition period under the LOK.
- Domestic suppliers require a CGA licence; foreign suppliers must register.
- Operators are prohibited from working with unregistered suppliers.
- Local suppliers must file applications by September 1 for review.
The Curaçao Gaming Authority (CGA) has issued a formal notice confirming that new supplier licensing and registration rules will take full effect on December 24. This deadline marks the conclusion of a two-year transition period established under the National Ordinance on Games of Chance (LOK). The new regulations mandate that all domestic suppliers providing essential goods or services to licensed operators must obtain a CGA supplier licence and register with the authority.
New Regulatory Framework Details
From December 24, all domestic suppliers delivering essential goods or services to licensed operators must secure a CGA supplier licence and register with the authority. Foreign suppliers are exempt from the licensing requirement but must still complete registration by the December deadline if they provide critical inputs to CGA-licensed operators. The LOK outlines clear obligations for operators, with Article 5.16(4) prohibiting licence holders from collaborating with unregistered suppliers. Furthermore, Article 5.16(1) requires the CGA to maintain a public register of approved providers, ensuring transparency within the sector.
The CGA broadly defines "critical services and goods" to include RNG game developers, live dealer studios, poker and peer-to-peer platforms, lottery providers, sportsbook software, bet capture and settlement systems, odds compilers, and game aggregators. The authority has indicated that this list is illustrative and subject to updates. To ensure timely compliance, locally established suppliers currently operating without licences are strongly advised to submit their applications via the CGA Online Gaming Portal by September 1. This early submission is crucial to allow sufficient time for review before the transition period concludes. Registration for both domestic and foreign suppliers is scheduled to commence in October 2026.
Industry Impact and Operator Responsibilities
The culmination of this transition period in December 2026 represents a significant milestone for Curaçao's business-to-business (B2B) gaming sector. It signifies the end of the era during which suppliers could operate without formal recognition from the CGA. The new framework places an equal responsibility on operators to verify and confirm the registration status of their technology and service partners. This shift ensures a more regulated and accountable environment across the entire iGaming supply chain within the jurisdiction, a trend seen across regulated online casino markets.
Additional Regulatory Developments
In related developments, the CGA has also introduced a framework governing the use of cryptocurrency for gambling by Curaçao business-to-consumer online gambling licensees. This new policy is slated for phased introduction over the next 12 months and encompasses the entire crypto transaction chain, from player deposits and wagers to withdrawals and treasury management, affecting how online casino payment methods are processed. Additionally, the regulator has issued a warning regarding a gambling website, EZZ.CASINO, which it alleges has been falsely presenting itself as licensed by the CGA. The authority stated that it has not authorised EZZ.CASINO and claims the site is using the logo and details of the CGA and its Digital Authorisation Seal without permission.
