CGA Confirms Supervisory Board Resignation, Says Changes Won’t Affect LOK

The Curaçao Gaming Authority (CGA) has confirmed the resignation of its supervisory board, emphasizing that this will not affect the rollout of the LOK, despite media claims to the contrary.

CGA Confirms the Rumored Resignation

On Tuesday, the CGA confirmed that its entire supervisory board had resigned in September, confirming earlier reports. However, the body staunchly rejected claims that the changes will affect the ongoing implementation of the LOK (National Ordinance for Games of Chance), the territory’s new gambling licensing network.

The CGA also clarified that, following the resignation of the supervisory board, responsibility for the regulatory body was transferred to Minister of Justice Shalten Hato. This contradicts earlier reports, which wrongfully claimed that Curaçao’s Prime Minister, Gilmar Pisas, had assumed responsibility for the regulator.

The CGA said that responsibilities for the organization were transferred to Hato on August 19 and emphasized that the implementation of the LOK will continue without disruption to the regulatory activities.

Aideen Shortt Lambasted the Sensationalist Headlines

In addition to confirming the sweeping changes, the CGA lambasted the misleading reports, which implied that the changes would affect the LOK’s implementation. Aideen Shortt, the CGA’s marketing and PR advisor, critiqued the “sensationalist headlines and fake-news articles” and reasserted that the LOK implementation schedule remains undisputed. She elaborated:

The resignation of the Supervisory Board is an administrative process following government transition. CGA supervision, enforcement, and licensing activities continue without interruption. The rollout of the LOK remains unchanged.

Aideen Shortt, marketing and PR advisor, CGA

In the meantime, the CGA has initiated the search for new supervisory board members.

LOK Marks a New Chapter for Curaçao

For context, Curaçao’s National Ordinance for Games of Chance (LOK) is set to change how gaming is regulated. The new framework will revoke the previous master license framework, meaning that any company organizing or operating games of chance from Curaçao now has to possess a CGA-issued license.

Under the LOK, unlicensed offshore operators will be in breach of regulations and, by extension, subject to penalties.