The Curacao Gaming Authority (CGA) has published new instructions setting out how licensed operators and suppliers must wind down their operations or discontinue online gambling domains under the island’s new regulatory framework.
The guidance establishes procedures for businesses voluntarily surrendering a license, those subject to enforcement action, applicants whose license applications have been rejected, and operators seeking to discontinue individual domains or other online interfaces. The instructions apply to holders of both B2C online gaming licenses and B2B supplier licenses issued under Curacao’s National Ordinance on Games of Chance (LOK).
According to the CGA, the framework is designed to ensure “an orderly and controlled cessation or partial discontinuation of activities” while protecting players and maintaining regulatory oversight throughout the process. The regulator clarified that “wind down” refers solely to the orderly cessation of gaming operations and does not constitute the legal liquidation or dissolution of a company. Businesses remain responsible for meeting all civil law obligations, including settling outstanding player claims and other liabilities, even after the wind-down period has ended.
For operators wishing to voluntarily surrender their license, the CGA requires a letter signed by the company’s local managing director explaining the reason for the surrender, together with the exact date and time the business stopped or intends to stop accepting new customers and wagers. A completed wind-down report must accompany the request before the regulator will consider revoking the license.
The guidance also makes clear that license holders whose licenses are revoked as an enforcement measure face immediate restrictions. Such operators must immediately cease using the CGA seal, stop accepting new business, stop servicing existing contracts, and prevent both new and existing players from placing wagers while the wind-down process is underway. They must also submit a signed wind-down report detailing the closure process.
Where the CGA rejects either a second-term provisional license or an application for an indefinite license, affected companies will be granted six weeks from the date of the rejection letter to complete an orderly wind down. During that six-week period, operators are likewise prohibited from using the CGA seal, accepting new business, continuing existing contracts, onboarding new players or allowing existing players to continue wagering. At the conclusion of the period, they must submit a completed wind-down report for review by the regulator.
The guidance also covers situations where a licensed operator wishes to discontinue a single gambling website, domain or other online interface, such as a mobile application, while retaining its overall license. In such cases, the operator must notify the CGA through a letter signed by its local managing director, stating the reason for the discontinuation, the date and time new players stopped or will stop being accepted on the relevant platform, and providing a completed wind-down report. Once the CGA acknowledges the request, the operator may remove the domain from the regulator’s licensing portal.
The CGA also stressed that license revocation or rejection does not entitle companies to refunds of licensing fees already paid, nor does it remove their obligation to settle any outstanding amounts owed to either the regulator or the Government of Curacao.
In addition, the regulator warned that operators are not permitted to leave debts outstanding, including player claims. Where liabilities remain unpaid, the CGA said it will take all actions within its authority and cooperate with domestic and international authorities, including law enforcement agencies, to pursue the matter.
