Curaçao Online Casinos

Curaçao online casinos make up the majority of gambling websites available in South Africa and worldwide. The most vibrant and colorful island in the Dutch Caribbean is also officially the most prolific iGaming jurisdiction on a global scale, with more and more operators looking to take advantage of the license provided by the CIGA (Curaçao Internet Gaming Association). 

The huge popularity of a Curaçao license is easy to explain. Combined with a simple application process and the fact that a single license covers all types of gambling activities, low fees and taxes constitute an offer that is hard to resist. Established in 1996, the CIGA (also known as Curaçao eGaming) is the oldest and one of the most stable regulatory authorities that has a good reputation in the eyes of players.

Online Casino Licensing in Curaçao

A beautiful island in the Caribbean Sea and a country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Curaçao is a famous offshore business hub that legalized online gambling in 1993. The first licenses were issued three years later and since then, the island has grown into the world’s center of iGaming. 

The whole procedure of getting a license is simple, swift (usually takes about six weeks), and most importantly cost-effective – it is much cheaper than in Malta and other jurisdictions. Plus, there is no need to pay VAT while tax on net gains is just 2%. The acceptance of crypto payments is another decisive factor, so it’s safe to say that just like always, everything boils down to money.

Curaçao licenses come in two types: master and sub-license. The former type is granted only at the sole discretion of the Minister of Justice (operators cannot apply for it) for a period of five years, giving holders the right to issue sub-licenses. During the existence of the CIGA, there have been only four master license holders, each has its own rules and policies, including those regarding dispute solving and player protection.

Here are the four holders of master licenses in Curaçao:

  • Cyberluck Curacao N.V. (Curacao-eGaming) #1668/JAZ
  • Gaming Curacao (GC) #365/JAZ
  • Curacao Interactive Licensing N.V. (CIL) #5536/JAZ
  • Antillephone NV #8048/JAZ

To receive a sub-license, all operators have to fulfill a set of strict and highly detailed requirements, even the smallest mistake can return them to the initial stage or lead to the risk of getting a refusal. In any case, the very first step toward the coveted license is the registration of a business in Curaçao, which follows by gathering a lot of papers, submitting the application and paying the respective fee, and waiting for a green light for about six weeks.

Needless to say, the gaming website should be ready to go live before the license is issued as the special technical compliance team appointed by the master license holder has to review and approve it. Since 2019, the Curaçao Gaming Control Board has also supervised the implementation of the AML-CFT (anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism) policy.

Curaçao Online Casino in South Africa

To the delight of South African players, online casinos licensed in Curaçao can freely operate in their country, bringing tons of action-packed slots and live dealer games right to their fingertips. By the way, this jurisdiction has a truly small number of restricted markets that include the United States, France, the Netherlands, and Curaçao itself.

Gamblers of all styles and preferences can choose from a huge number of websites, new and time-tested alike. Some of them are powered by dozens of software developers while others rely on a selected few suppliers, their bonus offerings, banking methods, and the way they provide customer support may differ, and, naturally, all of them have pros and cons. 

Choosing the right place seems like a challenge?

No worries, you won’t get lost in that ocean of options because we at SlotsZar make every effort to provide players with the most comprehensive and up-to-date information about every single casino that is worth a shot. You are very welcome to read our in-depth reviews intended to help every punter figure out their perfect fit. 

From the minimum deposit amount and available payment methods to cashout limits and timeframes, not to mention the details on welcome bonuses and loyalty programs – you will be armed with all knowledge you need to set yourself up for an ultimate experience. All in all, no matter whether you prefer playing slots or table games, with ZAR or cryptocurrencies, you will easily find a Curaçao online casino able to cater directly to your needs and whims.

Player Protection and Responsible Gaming

All operators licensed in Curaçao have to adhere to general principles of responsible gaming, providing players with a healthy gaming environment and a variety of respective tools, including the setting of deposit limits and the option of self-exclusion. 

Players also have the right to escalate eventual disputes to the master license holder if the issue has not been resolved by the operator. They can also contact the authority if they spot a rogue casino or believe that the website is not a genuine Curaçao licensee. By the way, the easiest way to verify that you are dealing with a properly licensed online casino is to click on the interactive seal displayed in the footer of the site. It will take you to the dedicated page, which clearly shows whether it is licensed or not.

Player Complaints Service

LCB.org is a trusted and well-known iGaming website offering a free compliant service to visitors and its members. If you have an issue with delayed or no payment of winnings they can help mediate the entire process. For more information on their player complaints service visit the LCB forum.