Gaming Authority in Curacao undergoes examination over licensing concerns
In the Dutch Caribbean island of Curacao, the Curacao Gaming Control Board (GCB) finds itself under scrutiny due to accusations of corruption, fraud, and financial mismanagement in its gambling licensing operations.
The primary aim of the GCB is to maintain a transparent, accountable, and resilient gaming industry that adheres to both national and international standards. The GCB's licensing process involves rigorous checks, including thorough document verification, background checks on decision-makers, and detailed assessments of business plans and operational websites.
However, these allegations, made by Luigi Faneyte, a member of the opposition Real Alternative Party, suggest that the GCB, along with certain government officials, unlawfully issued gaming licenses, causing significant financial discrepancies. The GCB, in response, has mounted a robust defense, asserting that its licensing operations are carried out in accordance with the regulatory framework established under the National Ordinance on Hazard Games (NOOGH).
The controversy surrounding the GCB may have economic and regulatory implications for the gaming industry in Curacao. New Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms will be included in the implementation of LOK, aiming to strengthen player protections and ensure fair play. The full implementation of LOK is expected by the end of 2024.
The GCB's role in international compliance is informed by formal rulings from relevant foreign authorities. The GCB's licensing process is managed through a secure online portal, ensuring transparency and accountability. The GCB is actively working to enhance its regulatory framework.
It is important to note that while there is clear evidence and suspicion of fraudulent and money laundering activities connected to gambling in Curacao jurisdiction, and related regulatory challenges, no explicit and detailed corruption investigation solely targeting the Curacao Gaming Control Board with a known timeline, evidence list, or current official status was found in the available information as of July 2025.
Historical context from a 2025 report references casinos in St. Maarten and Curacao being used as fronts to launder money, with suspicious activities such as empty casinos and cash flows routed through armored trucks to banks for legitimization purposes. More recent 2025 developments include allegations of fraud against operators licensed through Curacao, such as Wonder Casino and its affiliate EM Group accused by a whistleblower of submitting false bank reporting documents.
The Curacao Gaming Control Board is involved in regulatory oversight including anti-money laundering (AML) compliance, with policies and sanctions screening mentioned but without explicit public details on any internal corruption probes against the board itself. AML efforts are critical since gambling sectors internationally are recognized as vulnerable to money laundering risks, requiring robust customer due diligence and transaction monitoring to prevent illicit activities.
As the investigation continues, it remains to be seen how these allegations will impact the future of the Curacao gaming industry and the GCB's role in regulating it. The GCB claims that its licensing process is free from external interference, and it continues to work towards maintaining a fair and transparent gaming environment.
- The accusations made by Luigi Faneyte have raised concerns about the Curacao Gaming Control Board's involvement in the issuance of casino-games licenses, potentially causing financial discrepancies and implying corruption in casino-and-gambling operations.
- Despite the ongoing investigation, the Curacao Gaming Control Board remains committed to upholding the integrity of the gaming industry by maintaining strict anti-money laundering (AML) compliance, ensuring transparency, and working towards a fair and accountable gaming environment.
