The Caribbean island of Curaçao is stepping onto the global stage of online gaming with a newly revamped regulatory regime. White Star, a division under the banner of Rhino Entertainment Group, has successfully obtained a new licence in Curaçao for its CasinoDays. Alongside White Star, fellow operators Games and More, Geeka Corporation, and Small House have also been granted their licences, signifying a major stride in the burgeoning market.
This development comes just 12 weeks on the heels of Curaçao’s launch of a licensing process for its restructured regime. September saw the inauguration of a registration portal, though prospective applicants had to wait until November 1st before they could officially throw their hats into the ring.
Under the existing legislation, the portal has effectively managed new applications in collaboration with the Gaming Control Board (GCB), ensuring all sub-licensees are duly registered for continued operations post-enactment of the National Ordinance for Games of Chance (LOK). Following the commencement of LOK, a fresh entity known as the Curaçao Gaming Authority (CGA) will formally take the reins.
Cedric Pietersz, the newly appointed managing director of the GCB, expressed his enthusiasm about the rapid progress: “As we usher in 2024, we’re witnessing a transformative era for Curaçao’s gambling sector regulations. The response to our licence applications was astoundingly robust and exceeded our initial expectations.” He added that the licensure of White Star was particularly notable as it symbolised a pivotal juncture for Curaçao, setting the stage to become a premier gambling jurisdiction, with numerous licences still in the pipeline.
Rhino Entertainment Group’s CEO, Ross Parkhill, also shared his zeal, stating, “Being the first to secure this direct licence is a tremendous honour and a testament to our devotion to excellence and responsible gaming.” Parkhill reiterated their support for Curaçao’s enhanced regulatory framework, acknowledging the prestige and added value it imparts to their licence. He also highlighted their eagerness to cultivate an open and cooperative dialogue with the GCB, aiming for a prosperous and compliant future for the online gaming landscape.
While the shifting gaming regime in Curaçao has garnered widespread support, there has been a palpable sense of uncertainty among certain quarters. The island currently operates under its standing National Ordinance on Offshore Games of Hazard (NOOGH) legislation, which is set to be supplanted by the LOK.
Confusion was further fueled last month following rumours claiming that the LOK, which was presented before parliament in December, had been dismissed. These claims were quickly debunked as false. In the wake of this misinformation, Curaçao’s Minister of Finance, Javier Silvania, stepped forward to issue a statement condemning the spread of inaccurate details regarding the LOK.
To rectify misunderstandings, the minister addressed the public with two critical points. Firstly, he cautioned against the propagation of misinformation. Secondly, he confirmed that the ongoing licence issuing process by the GCB remained unaltered. To deliver further clarity on the matter, iGB delved deeply into the process, elucidating on the legislative journey through the jurisdiction’s parliament.
As the Caribbean gaming domain transitions, stakeholders are attentively observing this evolution in regulatory practice, hopeful for improved transparency and governance that the new regime in Curaçao promises. The new licences are emblematic of a broader shift that could redefine online gaming in the region and strengthen the island’s economy by attracting a wider array of players and businesses in the global gaming industry.
