It looks like Curacao licensing is evolving. A new Curacao website lists functions including license verification, complaints & self-exclusion! (Image by Markus Spiske at unsplash.com)
Curacao has a good number of reputable online casinos under its licensing, but it also has a reputation for lacking transparency compared to other iGaming regulatory bodies. This has allowed some less than desirable casino operators to offer products and services to fans of online casinos.
However, this is changing for the better. As part of our casino review process, we always look to check the licensing of an online casino and verify that it is legit. Well, we stumbled upon a new look Curacao eGaming website that offers a far improved portal for users to garner information, seek advice, and make complaints.
For starters, it was not always easy to verify the validity of a Curacao license. Well, although it is still under construction, the ‘Authenticity’ page is somewhere you will soon be able to go to verify that an online casino really holds the Curacao license it claims.
Complaints and Responsible Gambling
The Curacao website also offers a ‘File a Complaint’ page, something the previous rendition did not offer. Players can now file a complaint against a Curacao licensed online casino and get guidance, support, and access to player dispute and mediation services. This is a major step forward, as many previous complaints about Curacao licensing were the lack of player protection afforded.
The regulatory body has always claimed to push its licensees to promote responsible gambling, but it was never clear just how much. A ‘Responsible Gambling’ page now exists, whereby it lists out the rules and regulations that licensees have to abide by from now on. Such regulations include the operator having a page dedicated to responsible gambling, measures and tools to help a player self-exclude themselves from the online casino, and to suspend accounts shown irregular activity that points towards a gambling problem.
How Did This All Come About?
The Government of Curacao has said for years that it is aiming to clean up its iGaming licensing, regulations, and reputation. The regulatory body offers significant benefits as it can offer online casinos access to many markets and also more casino games compared to other regulatory authorities, such as the UKGC (UK Gambling Commission) and MGA (Malta Gaming Authority). However, it has always had a dark cloud hovering above its head because of its lack of transparency and the fact that it has allowed some unscrupulous online casinos to gain licensing.
However, despite these promises, change never came. That is until now. It would seem that the Government had its hands were forced, as in November 2020 amid the COVID pandemic, the country’s economy was hit hard. Curacao was relying heavily on stimulus packages from the Netherlands. One such release of funds came with certain conditions attached. The Dutch government had previously discovered that Curacao licensed online casinos were accepting players from the Netherlands, something they did not like.
So, in return for a €125 million financial stimulus package, the Dutch government demanded that Curacao revamp its iGaming licensing regulations. While this initially affected Dutch players first and foremost, this revamp was always going to improve the service to players globally. It looks like that time has finally come!
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