Eve Luneborg
The Curacao Gaming Control Board (GCB) is the national gambling regulator of Curaçao. It was first created in 1999, but it was only in 2023 that it began directly issuing licences. Since then, all online casino operators using a licence from Curaçao must apply through the GCB.
For many years, Curaçao was known for offering gambling licences through private companies. That old system of so-called master licences has now been replaced. Today, the GCB is taking over as the public regulator, meaning it now monitors and controls how online gambling is run from Curaçao.
The licence from the Curacao Gaming Control Board is perhaps the most common gambling licence used by casinos targeting the European market. So if you’ve played at live casinos before, chances are that you’ve come across this licence.
The GCB only has legal authority within Curaçao. It issues licences to online gambling operators who base their business there or use Curaçao as a licensing hub. While Curaçao is not part of the EU, it is part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, which gives it a special legal status.
Until recently, Curaçao’s online gambling industry operated under master licences and sub-licences. These were managed by private companies, not the government. That system is being replaced with the new licensing model under the National Ordinance for Games of Chance (LOK).
Under the new law:
This means Curaçao is now moving closer to other reputable regulators, like Malta, Gibraltar, and the Isle of Man.
For a long time, Curaçao licences were seen as low-barrier and loosely regulated. That’s because the old system with master licences had few strict rules, almost no checks, and limited enforcement. Many casinos chose Curaçao because it was cheaper and easier to get licensed, through what was, in effect, a pay-to-play licence.
Today, that perception is slowly changing. The GCB is now responsible for all new licences and is working to improve regulatory standards. New applicants must go through proper checks, show proof of funds, and follow player safety rules.
That said, many players and casino experts still view Curaçao as a “light” regulator. Compared to the UKGC or MGA, its controls are fewer. However, many casinos choose to operate under stricter standards than those required by the licence and regulatory rules, so you can still find high-quality operators licensed in Curaçao.
Player protection is now part of the licensing process under the GCB. This is a significant change from the old system. If you play at a live casino licensed by the GCB, the operator must follow rules that help protect your rights.
This includes:
If you have a problem with a GCB-licensed casino, you should first contact the casino’s support team. If you’re not satisfied with the outcome, you can submit a complaint directly to the GCB. They will assess whether the casino followed the rules.
At present, the GCB does not work with third-party complaint services, so all complaints must be filed directly with them.
All new GCB licence holders must follow responsible gambling rules. These rules are written into the licensing conditions. If you use a live casino licensed by the GCB, you should be able to:
The site should also provide links to gambling support organisations. While the GCB system is still developing, it is now closer to EU standards for responsible gambling.
Under the new law, operators who do not offer these tools risk losing their licence.
The process to obtain a licence from the GCB is now much stricter than before. Only new operators and those transitioning from the old system must apply under the new framework.
To obtain a licence, a company must:
Once the application is reviewed, the GCB may issue a licence if all conditions are met. Operators must then comply with strict rules and report any major changes to the GCB.
The aim of this new process is to remove bad actors and improve trust.
All licensed operators must meet a set of compliance requirements. These are updated regularly and are designed to make gambling safer and more transparent.
The rules cover:
These rules apply to both casino operators and their software providers. The GCB may request regular reports, audits, or evidence of compliance at any time.
If a GCB-licensed operator breaches the rules, the GCB can take enforcement action. This is a key part of the new regulatory system.
The GCB can:
Since 2023, the GCB has begun publishing some of its enforcement actions. You can now check whether an operator has had regulatory action taken against it.
If you report a site to the GCB, they may investigate the matter. However, they do not guarantee the recovery of funds. Their role is to assess rule breaches and determine whether the casino should retain its licence. Resolving individual player disputes is not their primary focus.
The Curacao Gaming Control Board is now the official regulator of online gambling in Curaçao. If you’re playing at live casinos online, you’ll often encounter GCB-licensed sites.
The new licensing system is stronger than the previous one. It requires comprehensive checks, safer gambling tools, and fair games. While the GCB is still working to improve its reputation, it has already taken significant steps to protect players and remove disreputable operators.
For you, this means better safeguards when playing at Curaçao-based casinos. Just ensure that the site is licensed under the new regime and does not display an outdated master licence logo.
Eve Luneborg – Live Casino Specialist at LiveCasino.ie
Eve Luneborg has been part of the online casino industry since 2014, when she moved to the sunny shores of Malta to pursue her passion for gaming.