Curaçao’s Gambling Regulator Faces Surprising Scrutiny

Curaçao’s gambling regulator finds itself under the spotlight after local prosecutors recently opened an investigation into the Curaçao Gaming Authority (CGA). This development, revealed in a recent letter from the Financial Supervision Board (Cft), adds to the mounting controversy surrounding the island’s former finance minister, Javier Silvania.

The Rising Scrutiny Aligns with Broader Investigations

According to local news outlet Antilliaans Dagblad, Cft chairman Lidewijde Ongering’s official letter stated that the Public Prosecution Service was investigating the CGA. Although the authority refused to comment on the probe, recent reports state that the island’s Criminal Investigation Cooperation Team (RST) has been working behind the scenes for a considerable time.

The CGA is responsible for implementing the National Ordinance on Gambling (LOK), a sweeping reform to modernize the regulation of Curaçao’s online gaming sector. The inquiry comes at a very delicate time. The island has been working to restore its reputation in the international gambling world, moving away from the lax supervisory model that first allowed it to become a leading hub for operators.

This investigation aligns with a growing list of cases surrounding Silvania, who resigned suddenly in October. One of the investigations, conducted by the National Criminal Investigation Department, relates to allegations of corruption. Another inquiry by the RST focuses on preferential treatment allegedly granted to the former head of the Tax Collector’s Office, Alfonso Trona, as well as mass suspensions of older tax debts.

Industry Representatives Warn of Unintended Consequences

The announcement of yet another probe has caused discontent among gambling industry representatives. The Curaçao Online Gaming Association (COGA) has warned that implicating the CGA in such an investigation risked amplifying international doubts about the island’s stability as a licensing hub, potentially undermining years of hard-earned progress.

COGA noted that the gaming sector, one of Curaçao’s primary economic pillars, is undergoing a significant overhaul. According to the group, the launch of the LOK and the CGA’s restructuring helped raise standards and shift global perceptions. However, COGA feared that any negative news could be incorrectly interpreted abroad, potentially unsettling foreign partners.

Because this industry is so visible internationally, even local reporting gets magnified. Often, the resulting narratives lose important context and don’t fairly reflect what is happening in Curaçao.

COGA statement

Curaçao officials remain tight-lipped regarding the nature of their investigation and its progress. Until prosecutors clarify their intentions, the looming uncertainty threatens to cast a shadow over Curaçao’s efforts to demonstrate that it can operate a modern, trustworthy gaming system, especially as doubts mount concerning the regulator responsible for implementing long-awaited reforms.