The Government of Curacao has moved to quell confusion surrounding the oversight of its critical iGaming industry, issuing a formal statement clarifying that
The Government of Curacao has moved to quell confusion surrounding the oversight of its critical iGaming industry, issuing a formal statement clarifying that political responsibility for the sector now officially lies with the Minister of Justice, Shalton Hato.
The clarification directly addresses recent reports suggesting that Prime Minister Gilmar Pisas had effectively seized control of the Gaming Control Board (GCB) after holding a meeting with its management team. The government explained that this meeting was merely a briefing requested by the GCB itself, following the introduction of new legislation, and did not signify a change in ministerial authority. “ It is incorrect to suggest that Prime Minister Pisas has ministerial authority over the Gaming Control Board,” the official statement read.
The government statement confirmed a significant structural change in the oversight of Curacao gambling regulation. Until 19 August 2025, the GCB (and its intended successor, the CGA) operated under the Ministry of Finance. However, responsibility has now been formally transferred to the Ministry of Justice.
This transfer, the government explained, is a direct consequence of the new National Ordinance on Games of Chance (LOK). The LOK legislation represents a fundamental shift in Curacao’s regulatory philosophy, moving the primary focus away from purely financial oversight towards law enforcement, compliance, and the active fight against illegal gambling activities. Placing the iGaming regulator under the Ministry of Justice aligns the government structure with these new priorities.
While this clarification provides some procedural certainty, it comes amidst a period of profound political instability that continues to cast doubt on the future of Curacao gambling regulation.
The former champion of the LOK legislation, Finance Minister Javier Silvania, resigned last week. This followed the earlier mass resignation of the entire Supervisory Board of the newly formed Curacao Gaming Authority (CGA). With the CGA currently lacking a board and its original political sponsor gone, the practical implementation of the LOK reforms remains highly uncertain, despite this formal clarification of ministerial responsibility under Minister of Justice Shalton Hato.
The official clarification placing the Curacao gambling regulation under the Ministry of Justice, rather than Finance, is a significant structural change that aligns with the stated goals of the LOK legislation. On paper, this shift signals a move towards a more enforcement-focused regulatory posture, prioritising compliance, anti-money laundering ( AML), and tackling the black market over purely economic considerations. This could potentially mean a tougher operational environment for future Curacao license holders, requiring higher standards of due diligence and player protection than previously associated with the jurisdiction. However, the timing and context of this clarification raise serious questions about the underlying political stability driving these changes.
The fact remains that this formal transfer of power occurs amidst a full-blown governance crisis. The abrupt resignation of Finance Minister Javier Silvania, the architect of the LOK, combined with the earlier departure of the entire CGA Supervisory Board, leaves the reform process without its key champions and its primary oversight body. While placing the iGaming regulator under the Ministry of Justice fits the narrative of a more robust compliance framework, the political turmoil suggests this may be less about deliberate policy design and more about the fallout from internal power struggles. This instability sends a deeply concerning signal to the international iGaming industry regarding the reliability and predictability of Curacao gambling regulation during this critical transition phase.
Ultimately, the practical impact of this shift remains highly uncertain. The success of the LOK reforms hinges not just on which ministry is nominally in charge, but on the appointment of a credible and independent CGA board, the commitment of political leadership (now seemingly consolidated under Prime Minister Pisas), and the consistent application of the new rules. Without these elements, the clarification risks being merely a procedural footnote in a story of ongoing political infighting and regulatory paralysis, further damaging Curacao’s efforts to establish itself as a reputable iGaming licensing hub.
