B2C Gaming Licence (Business-to-Consumer)

In essence, a B2C gaming licence authorises operators to offer gaming services directly to players.

Covered activities include:

• Online casinos (slots, table games, live casino)

• Sports betting and virtual sports

• Poker rooms

• Bingo and lottery-style games

• Skill-based games involving stakes

Best for:
Operators running a public-facing platform that accepts player deposits and pays winnings.

B2B Gaming Licence (Business-to-Business)

A B2B gaming licence is designed for companies that supply services or technology to licensed operators, without interacting with players.

Typical B2B licensees include:

• Firstly, game developers and game studios

• Secondly, platform providers and white-label solution providers

• Moreover, aggregators and gaming content suppliers

• In addition, betting software providers and odds suppliers

• Finally, back-office solution providers, wallet services, and compliance technology vendors

Accordingly, this licence is best suited for:
Companies selling gaming infrastructure or content to B2C operators.

Licensing Requirements

1. Corporate & Legal Requirements

To begin with, to apply for a Curaçao gaming licence, the applicant must:

• Incorporate a Curacao legal entity (typically a Curacao BV or NV)

• Maintain a registered office and local presence in Curacao

• Appoint at least one local resident director

• Disclose the full ownership structure, including all Ultimate Beneficial Owners (UBOs)

• Ensure shareholders and directors pass fit-and-proper checks

These requirements establish transparency and legal accountability.

2. Compliance & Regulatory Requirements for a Curacao Gaming Licence

From a regulatory perspective, Curaçao places strong emphasis on compliance. Accordingly, applicants must submit:

• AML/CFT Policy aligned with international standards

• KYC and player verification procedures

• Responsible Gaming Policy

• Risk assessment and internal control framework

• Complaint handling and ADR procedures

For B2C licence holders, AML and responsible gaming obligations apply in full.

3. Operational & Business Documentation

Applicants must provide detailed operational documentation, including:

• Comprehensive business plan (products, target markets, growth strategy)

• Description of gaming activities and verticals

• Terms and conditions for players

• Payment methods overview, including crypto (if applicable)

• Outsourcing and third-party agreements, if used

The regulator assesses whether the business model is sustainable and compliant.

4. Technical & IT Requirements

Curacao licence applicants must demonstrate secure and reliable systems:

• Gaming platform description (software, RNG, game suppliers)

• Hosting details (server location, cloud provider)

• Data protection and cybersecurity measures

• Transaction and player data logging

• System access controls and audit trails

Game integrity and player fund protection are critical review points.

5. Key Persons & Personal Due Diligence

The following individuals are subject to enhanced due diligence:

• Directors and shareholders

• UBOs

• Compliance Officer / MLRO

• Key operational managers

Accordingly, required documentation typically includes:

• Passport copies

• Proof of address

• CVs demonstrating relevant experience

• Police clearance certificates

• Source-of-funds and source-of-wealth evidence

6. Financial Requirements

Applicants must demonstrate financial stability through:

• Initial licence application and annual fees

• Proof of sufficient operating capital

• Ongoing ability to meet regulatory and operational costs

Curacao does not impose a fixed minimum share capital, but solvency is assessed.

7. Ongoing Obligations After a Curacao Gaming Licence Is Issued

Once licensed, operators must:

• Renew the licence annually

• Maintain ongoing AML/KYC compliance

• Submit regulatory reports when required

• Implement geo-blocking for restricted jurisdictions

• Notify the regulator of any changes in ownership or operations

Consequently, non-compliance may result in licence suspension or revocation.

Company Requirements

Curacao Gaming Control Board requires every applicant to meet strict company-level requirements before issuing a gaming licence under the modernised National Ordinance for Games of Chance (LOK). These requirements apply to both B2C and B2B licence applicants.

1. Legal Entity Formation in Curacao

To qualify for a Curacao gaming licence, the applicant must:

• Incorporate a Curacao-registered company

• Most commonly use a BV (Besloten Vennootschap) or NV (Naamloze Vennootschap)

• Maintain an active legal status in the Curacao Companies Registry

• Ensure the company exists solely for lawful gaming or gaming-related activities

Foreign companies cannot operate under a Curacao licence without a local entity.

2. Registered Office & Local Substance

The licensed company must have:

• A registered office address in Curacao

• A local corporate services provider (company secretary / registered agent)

• Adequate local substance to support regulatory oversight

This ensures enforceability of Curacao gaming law.

3. Directors & Management Requirements

Curacao requires clear management accountability:

• At least one local resident director (natural person or approved service provider)

• Appointment of key management personnel

• Demonstrable experience in gaming, technology, finance, or compliance

All directors are subject to fit-and-proper assessments.

4. Ownership & UBO Disclosure

The company must fully disclose:

• All shareholders

• Ultimate Beneficial Owners (UBOs) holding 10% or more

• Complete ownership chain, including holding companies

• Shareholding percentages and voting rights

Opaque structures, nominee layering, or undisclosed control are not permitted.

5. Compliance Roles Under a Curacao Gaming Licence

Each licensed company must appoint:

• A Compliance Officer

• A Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO)

• Responsible persons for AML/KYC and Responsible Gaming

These roles may be internal or outsourced, but accountability remains with the licensee.

6. Business Purpose & Activities

The company must clearly define:

• Whether it operates as B2C (operator) or B2B (supplier)

• The gaming verticals offered (casino, sportsbook, platform services, etc.)

• Target operating markets and restricted jurisdictions

• Use of crypto payments, if applicable

Activities outside the approved scope are prohibited.

7. Financial Standing of the Company

Although Curacao does not impose fixed minimum capital, the company must demonstrate:

• Sufficient working capital

• Ability to cover licensing fees, operational costs, and compliance expenses

• Transparent source of funds for shareholders and UBOs

Financial instability is grounds for rejection or later suspension.

8. Ongoing Corporate Obligations Under a Curacao Gaming Licence

After licensing, the company must:

• Maintain good standing with the Curacao registry

• Renew the licence annually

• Report any changes in directors, shareholders, or structure

• Keep corporate records, registers, and compliance files updated

Failure to maintain company compliance can lead to licence revocation.

Benefits

Benefits of Having an Online Gaming Licence in Curacao (YOAST-Compatible)

Curacao Gaming Control Board offers one of the most commercially flexible and internationally used online gaming licences. For many operators, the Curacao licence represents the ideal balance between speed, cost efficiency, and global reach.

Operators who are comparing entry-level regulatory frameworks may also consider the Tobique Online Gaming Licence as an alternative solution for specific business models and target markets.

1. Fast Licensing Timeline

One of the strongest benefits of a Curacao online gaming licence is the short approval timeframe.

• Application and review are significantly faster than Tier-1 jurisdictions

• Ideal for startups and operators launching quickly

• No multi-year pre-operational history required

This makes Curacao highly attractive for new market entry.

2. Cost-Effective Licensing Structure

Compared with Malta, the UK, or other EU regulators, Curacao offers:

• Lower initial application fees

• Predictable annual licence costs

• No separate fees per gaming vertical

• Reduced ongoing regulatory expenses

As a result, operators can allocate more capital to marketing, technology, and growth.

3. Single Licence – Multiple Gaming Vertical Coverage

A Curacao licence allows operators to offer multiple gaming products under one licence, including:

• Online casino

• Sports betting

• Live casino

• Poker and bingo

• Lottery and skill-based games

There is no need for separate casino or sportsbook licences, which simplifies compliance and expansion.

4. Global Operating Reach

A Curacao gaming licence enables operators to target international markets, particularly:

• Latin America

• Africa

• Parts of Asia

• Offshore and emerging iGaming markets

While geo-blocking is required for certain regulated countries, Curacao remains ideal for grey-market jurisdictions.

5. Crypto-Friendly Regulatory Environment

Curacao is well known for its supportive stance toward cryptocurrency gaming.

Operators may legally:

• Accept crypto deposits and withdrawals

• Offer crypto-based games

• Integrate blockchain payment solutions

This is a key advantage for modern and Web3-focused gaming platforms.

6. Simplified Compliance Framework

Although compliant with international AML standards, Curacao offers:

• A less burdensome regulatory framework

• Practical AML/KYC implementation

• Flexible outsourcing of compliance functions

This reduces operational friction while maintaining regulatory legitimacy.

7. B2C and B2B Licensing Options

Curacao supports both:

• B2C operators (casinos, sportsbooks)

• B2B providers (platforms, game studios, aggregators)

This flexibility allows entire gaming ecosystems to operate under Curacao licensing.

8. Business-Friendly Tax Environment

Key tax-related benefits include:

• No specific gaming tax

• Competitive corporate tax regime

• Efficient profit structuring options

This improves overall profit retention for international operators.

9. Strong Market Recognition

Despite being lighter than Tier-1 regulators, a Curacao licence is:

• Widely recognised by payment providers

• Accepted by major game suppliers

• Commonly used by established international brands

It is often chosen as a strategic first licence, with the option to upgrade later.

10. Ideal Entry-Level Licence for Growth

Many operators use Curacao as:

• A launch jurisdiction

• A testing ground for products and markets

• A foundation before migrating to Malta, UK, or other regulators

This makes Curacao a scalable licensing solution.