How Curaçao Casino Licensing Works After the 2024 Reform

If you’ve ever spotted names like Antillephone, Curaçao eGaming, or Gaming Curaçao in a casino’s footer and wondered what they actually mean, here’s the thing: they belong to the past. Since December 2024, Curaçao’s entire licensing system has been overhauled, and the old master licences have been fully replaced by a direct model run by the Curaçao Gaming Authority (CGA). In this guide, we’ll walk you through exactly what changed, how to verify a valid Curaçao licence today, and which red flags to watch for before signing up with a casino.

• What Curaçao’s 2024 Reform Actually Changed
• The Old Master License System (Historical Context)
• The Current System: Curaçao Gaming Authority Direct Licensing
• How to Verify a Curaçao License Today
• Red Flags to Watch For
• Do Antillephone, CEG and Gaming Curaçao Still Mean Anything?
• The Bottom Line for Players
• How We Verified This

What Curaçao’s 2024 Reform Actually Changed

The 2024 Curaçao reform brought a lot of changes for you as a player. Curaçao’s National Ordinance on Games of Chance came into force on December 24, 2024. From that moment on, the old licensing model was permanently replaced.

The change wasn’t gradual. All casinos operating under sub-licences issued under the four old master licences lost their right to operate. They had to apply for a new licence, and those in the middle of the application process had an orange seal displayed on their site.

According to some secondary sources we consulted, at the start of this year there were 330 operators with direct licences. The rejection or delay rate stood at around 38%, generally due to incomplete documentation.

We, the CasinoAlpha experts, couldn’t confirm these exact figures ourselves, so treat them as directional rather than precise.

The Old Master License System (Historical Context)

Before the reform, there were 4 private entities acting as master licences, and they could Curaçao sub-license as many operators as they wanted. If you were playing back then, you probably noticed this.

Unfortunately, this outdated information can still be found on old casino sites and in outdated reviews:

These licences no longer exist, so if you see them listed in a casino’s footer, that information is definitely false.

The Current System: Curaçao Gaming Authority Direct Licensing

At this point, every active licence in Curaçao is issued directly by the Curaçao Gaming Authority (CGA). This is the government regulatory body that replaced the old structure. If a casino applies for a licence, it goes through a structured, two-stage evaluation process. Initially, it receives a provisional licence valid for 6 months, followed by a possible extension of another 6 months. At the end, the CGA must decide whether or not to grant the final licence.

There are 3 licence categories issued by the CGA. A B2C Licence for Gaming, a B2B Licence for suppliers, and a Nonprofit Gaming Licence, for charitable gaming. This gives us a narrower, more accountable structure compared to the old system.

The transition wasn’t perfectly smooth

On December 23, 2025, the CGA announced that it hadn’t finished reviewing all pending licence applications, and the operators involved were allowed to keep operating without a clear deadline. This backlog coincided with another problem. In September and October 2025, the CGA’s entire supervisory board resigned, following political pressure and corruption allegations. This led Curaçao’s Prime Minister to take direct oversight of the regulator.

How to Verify a Curaçao License Today

Probably the first thing you want to do is look for the seal in the casino’s website footer. That’s correct! However, a few things have changed that you need to keep in mind when verifying a Curaçao licence in 2026.

First, look for the current CGA verification seal in the site’s footer. Don’t go by the old colour-coded seals or the ones bearing a master-licence name. Don’t stop there! Click on the seal. Check whether it takes you directly to the official CGA certificate verification page.

Next, you need to confirm the licence status. It should show as active. Finally, check the operator against the CGA’s public licence register as well. That’s where all holders of valid licences are listed.

Red Flags to Watch For

I’ve put together a few warning signs worth watching out for, especially since the system changed so recently:

• A casino that claims to be Curaçao licensed but doesn’t have a clickable seal, or one that simply leads nowhere.
• A seal that takes you to a certificate page showing a different name.
• Marketing copy that still mentions old regulatory bodies, like Antillephone.
• A licence number formatted like an old sub-licence, presented as if it were still active.
• Review sites that still talk about the old licensing system.

Unfortunately, there are casinos using fake or copied seals. So if you can’t verify a seal, treat it as a red flag.

Do Antillephone, CEG and Gaming Curaçao Still Mean Anything?

Historically speaking, none of the 4 master licence holders still have the authority to issue a licence today. If you want to sign up at a casino and you see one of these names, it no longer exists, and the casino is most likely not licensed in 2026.

That said, these names aren’t entirely without value in a different context. If an operator has a long, clean track record dating back to one of the old licences, and currently holds an active CGA certificate, that means it’s a trustworthy casino. It has a visible history. However, it absolutely must also have a CGA licence!

The Bottom Line for Players

Curaçao’s licensing landscape is significantly different in 2026 compared to just a few years ago. The old licensing system has been completely replaced by direct licensing through the Curaçao Gaming Authority. Through the CGA’s own certification portal, you can check whether the casino you’re about to sign up with is licensed.

Our advice is simple! Don’t rely on old master-licence names, make sure the operator you want to open an account with is operating legally.

How We Verified This

All the regulatory information in this guide was verified directly on the official website and public licence register of the Curaçao Gaming Authority. We used legal and industry advisory sources tracking the rollout of the LOK reform. We didn’t rely on older descriptions of the licensing system from before 2024.

Gambling should be treated as a form of entertainment, not a source of income. If you’re concerned about your own gambling habits, or feel that someone close to you needs help, responsible gambling tools can be useful. You can set deposit limits or even self-exclude.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. We recommend checking the licensing structures and regulatory bodies before making a decision. Make sure gambling is legal in your area!