Curaçao ended the master-license system two years ago. The Curaçao Gaming Authority (CGA) began issuing direct licenses in September 2024. By March 2026, the old sub-licenses were no longer valid.

Sub-license holders from the old system needed to file fresh applications. Newcomers skip the middlemen altogether. Master-license holders do not take a percentage anymore.

This guide explains how the new system works. What the CGA wants. What things cost. How many weeks each stage takes. Plus a few firms that can get it done.

What the CGA Demands

The CGA requires applicants to meet several conditions before filing. Missing any of these stops the process.

What the CGA Demands for Corporate Structure

Set up a legal entity inside Curaçao. That company needs a registered office on the island. Pick at least one local director. That person can be an individual or another company. Shareholders can live anywhere in the world.

Papers to Gather

Every director, shareholder, and ultimate beneficial owner (UBO) needs personal documents. Certified passport copies. Proof of where they live. Police clearance certificates from each country they have lived in. A CV showing relevant work history. Bank reference letters. Professional references.

Business paperwork includes incorporation documents. AML and KYC policies. A responsible gaming framework. Software agreements and RNG certificates. Proof that you own your domain. Terms and Conditions. A Privacy Policy.

What the CGA Expects for Compliance

A full AML/CFT program is non-negotiable. Written policies must cover risk assessment, customer due diligence, transaction monitoring, and suspicious activity reporting. Name a compliance officer. Keep training records for your staff.

Technical Must-Haves

Get your gaming platform certified for fairness. An accredited testing lab must sign off on your Random Number Generator (RNG). The platform needs responsible gaming features too. Self-exclusion tools. Deposit limits. Time tracking. Player identity verification.

Financial requirements:

No formal minimum capital requirement exists under the new framework. Operators must demonstrate financial stability to cover six to twelve months of operating expenses. Source of funds documentation must be provided for all investments.

What the License Costs

The new CGA fee structure differs from the old sub-license model. Government fees now go directly to the regulator.

What the Government Charges

The LOK framework sets B2C licensing fees at roughly €47,000 per year. B2B providers pay about €24,000 annually. Those numbers cover only the government’s share. Application fees do not get refunded if the CGA says no.

Setting Up the Company

Company formation costs €6,500 to €10,000. The final price depends on how complex your structure is. A registered office plus a local director adds €4,500 to €8,000 each year. Corporate tax on net profits sits around 2 percent for revenue earned outside Curaçao.

Paying Professionals

Complete licensing packages from law firms run €35,000 to €65,000. That covers document preparation, AML policy writing, talking to the regulator, and compliance setup.

Staying Licensed Each Year

Annual renewal fees go straight to the CGA. Compliance reporting costs money. So does keeping a local director and registered office. AML policies need updates. Transaction monitoring software requires a subscription. Total yearly maintenance runs €20,000 to €35,000. Bigger operators pay more.

How Long the Process Takes

The CGA publishes target review periods. Actual timelines depend on application completeness.

Phase 1: Pre-application assessment (2 to 4 weeks)

Applicants submit preliminary information about their business model, target markets, and ownership structure. The CGA issues initial feedback. This stage identifies potential issues before formal filing.

Phase 2: Setting Up the Company (1 to 3 weeks)

Create your Curaçao legal entity. Get it registered with the Chamber of Commerce. Bring on a local director. Lock down a registered office address. Open a corporate bank account on the island.

Phase 3: Document preparation (4 to 8 weeks)

Prepare the full application package. Business plan covering three to five years. AML/KYC policies aligned with FATF standards. Responsible gaming framework. Technical documentation, including platform certification. Personal and business documents for all relevant parties.

Phase 4: CGA submission and review (8 to 16 weeks)

Submit a complete application to the CGA. The regulator conducts fit and proper checks on all directors and UBOs. Financial stability assessment follows. Technical platform review runs concurrently. The CGA may request clarifications or additional documents.

Phase 5: Green Light and Go Live (1 to 2 weeks)

Once the CGA says yes, pay the licensing fee. They hand over the license certificate. Finish hooking up your systems to CGA monitoring tools. Start taking players.

From the first phone call to live operations, plan on 4 to 7 months.

What Delays Applications

Incomplete documentation tops the list. Missing police certificates or bank references stop the process immediately. Unclear ownership structures trigger extended background checks. Generic AML policies copied from online templates get rejected. Vague business descriptions raise questions. Last-minute changes to corporate structure reset review timelines.

Who Can Help?

Several firms specialize in Curaçao gambling licensing under the new CGA framework. Each offers different service levels and pricing.

Gofaizen & Sherle

Gofaizen & Sherle is a gambling licensing law firm that has supported many licensing projects across more than 15 jurisdictions worldwide. As iGaming licensing lawyers, their team handles everything from company formation to compliance policy drafting. The firm also serves as a law firm for gambling business setup for operators entering regulated markets.

They maintain direct relationships with the CGA. Clients receive dedicated project managers who track every deadline. Their gambling licensing legal advisors also assist with high-risk merchant accounts and payment provider onboarding.

Fast Offshore Licenses

Operating since 1998, Fast Offshore has licensed hundreds of gambling operators in Curaçao. The firm adapted quickly to the new CGA framework. Their gambling licensing lawyers file applications with approval timelines of 8 to 12 weeks.

They coordinate local presence requirements, including registered companies, physical offices, and local directors. Maintenance packages cover annual renewals and compliance reporting.

Samson Solutions

Samson Solutions offers a complete Curaçao license package from company formation to final approval. As a gambling license law firm, their published pricing starts at €65,000. This includes sub-license acquisition, AML/KYC compliance setup, and a Curaçao legal entity with a registered office.

Annual renewal costs include a €24,600 government fee plus €2,050 in monthly regulatory fees. Client testimonials mention «peace of mind» and «trusted partner.»

GBO International

GBO International handles company formation, gaming license applications, bank accounts, payment service providers, nominee services, and virtual offices for Curaçao. Their iGaming business setup lawyers help operators get licensed quickly. A sub-license costs about $20,000 for setup, with monthly fees of a few thousand dollars. Corporate tax on net profits runs approximately 2 percent. One license covers all major gambling verticals.

Inteliumlaw

Inteliumlaw provides gambling license acquisition across multiple jurisdictions, including Curaçao. As gambling licensing legal consultants, their team has guided more than 50 gambling projects from start to finish. They handle jurisdiction selection, document collection, business plan development, and policy drafting. Their services cover AML policies, Privacy Policy, and Responsible Gaming frameworks.

FAQ

People ask these questions about Curaçao gambling licensing under the new CGA framework. Here are the answers.

Does the CGA still issue sub-licenses under the old master-license system?

No. The master-license system ended completely. All operators now hold direct licenses from the CGA. Sub-licenses issued before September 2024 had to transition by March 2026.

What tax advantages does Curaçao offer?

The territorial tax system taxes only local profits at 22 percent. Foreign-sourced profits benefit from effective tax rates of 0 to 3 percent when companies demonstrate real substance through local offices and employment.

Can a Curaçao license serve European players?

Curaçao licenses are not directly valid in EU member states. Each EU country has its own rules about recognizing offshore licenses. Some operators use Curaçao as a base license while applying for EU authorizations separately.

Can I run a crypto casino with this license?

Yes. Curaçao licenses work with Bitcoin casinos, blockchain games, and crypto payments. The jurisdiction keeps its rules flexible for digital assets.

How long does the license stay active?

Licenses under the new CGA system need renewal every year. The CGA watches licensed operators continuously. They can suspend or revoke licenses when operators break the rules.

Final Notes

The Curaçao gambling license remains one of the most accessible regulated options for international operators. No minimum capital requirement. One license covering all gaming verticals. Territorial tax system favoring foreign-sourced revenue.

But the new CGA framework demands more than the old master-license system. Direct applications require complete documentation. Fit and proper checks apply to all directors and UBOs. Technical platform certification is mandatory.

Operators who prepare properly receive approvals in 4 to 7 months. Those who cut corners face delays or rejections. The firms listed above have submitted successful applications under the new framework. They know what the CGA expects.