The Curacao Gaming Authority (CGA) has released Version 2.0 of its License Fees under the National Ordinance on Games of Chance (LOK), detailing important updates to application and annual fee procedures for B2C and B2B licensees.
The updated framework reflects two major changes: the removal of the previously-included transitional section for NOOGH, and the addition of provisions for the treatment of annual fees in the first year following LOK enactment, plus a clarified invoicing and collection policy.
Application fees remain unchanged: EUR4,592 ($5,340) for both B2C and B2B license applications. In addition, the annual fee for B2C operators continues at EUR47,450 ($55,140), comprising a EUR24,490 ($28,470) License Fee paid to the National Treasury and a EUR22,960 ($26,660) Supervisory Fee payable to the CGA. B2B suppliers are required to pay a single annual Supervisory Fee of EUR 24,490 ($28,470). Other administrative charges – including EUR250 ($290) for adding a main domain, EUR383 ($445) for certificate applications, and EUR128 ($149) for updates involving UBOs or qualified interest-holders – are unchanged.
On the annual fees side, the document introduces a pro-rata six-month billing model for the first year of LOK enforcement (from enactment until the first full license cycle completion). Licensees will be invoiced in two parts: one covering the initial six months and a second covering the subsequent six months prior to moving into a standard annual cycle. The first invoice must be paid before formal license grant and the second invoice is contingent on eligibility for continuation. After completion of the first year, licenses will transition to the full-annual fee schedule.
Invoicing and collection policy are now more explicitly defined. Invoices are due within 14 days of issuance. Failure to pay triggers escalating reminders and notices. Failure to settle within 71 days will lead to formal license revocation and removal from the public register. The CGA emphasizes that receipt of an invoice does not constitute license continuation, and written confirmation from the Authority is required for a license to remain valid.
The removal of the NOOGH transitional section signals that Curaçao now treats the old regime as fully phased out and moves directly to the LOK-driven structure. Industry stakeholders should review their budgeting and compliance calendars accordingly, especially given the shortened first-year billing period. Licensees must also ensure that payments meet the deadlines, or risk immediate regulatory consequences.
For operators active or planning entry into the Curaçao market, the clarity around pro-rata billing and stricter enforcement of invoice terms reinforce the need for robust financial planning. Those launching within the first year post-LOK enactment will face a shorter billing cycle and must budget accordingly. Meanwhile, longstanding operators should ensure that their annual fee cycle aligns with the new schedule and that no legacy arrangements remain outstanding.
