Do I need a local presence in Curaçao?

Yes. The new framework requires a local company and local director-level presence, and the regulator expects key persons to be fit and proper. The exact substance expectations should be confirmed with local counsel at the time of application.

Will banks accept a Curaçao gaming licence?

Some will. Acceptance has improved since the reform, but many mainstream EU banks still decline gambling entirely. Specialist EMIs, gaming-focused PSPs and certain banks in gaming-friendly jurisdictions are the realistic options, provided your compliance file is strong.

How much does a Curaçao licence cost?

Application and annual fees are set by the Curaçao Gaming Authority and have changed during the transition. Add local company, director, legal and compliance costs. We confirm current figures with the regulator and local providers before quoting a budget, rather than using outdated numbers.

Can a Curaçao licensee accept crypto?

Many Curaçao operators accept crypto, but your AML policy must cover it, including wallet screening and source-of-funds checks on large deposits. Crypto payment providers will also check the licence and your restricted-country controls.

Curaçao gaming licence under the new regime.

What the Curaçao Gaming Authority now requires under the LOK framework, realistic timelines, and how a Curaçao licence affects bank and PSP onboarding.

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Curaçao has been the default licence for international online casinos for decades, but the old master-licence and sub-licence system is gone. The National Ordinance on Games of Chance (LOK) replaced it, and the Curaçao Gaming Authority now issues licences directly to operators. For founders this means more paperwork and more scrutiny, but also a licence that banks and payment providers take more seriously than the old sub-licences. This guide explains what the new Curaçao regime asks for and how it affects your banking.

Short answer

Are old Curaçao sub-licences still valid?

The sub-licence system has been replaced. Operators who held sub-licences were required to transition to direct licences from the Curaçao Gaming Authority. If you are relying on an old sub-licence, check your status with the regulator immediately, because banks and PSPs check the public register.

Do I need a local presence in Curaçao: Yes. The new framework requires a local company and local director-level presence, and the regulator expects key persons to be fit and proper.
Will banks accept a Curaçao gaming licence: Some will. Acceptance has improved since the reform, but many mainstream EU banks still decline gambling entirely.
How much does a Curaçao licence cost: Application and annual fees are set by the Curaçao Gaming Authority and have changed during the transition. Add local company, director, legal and compliance costs.

What changed under the new framework

Under the old system, a handful of master licence holders issued sub-licences with limited oversight. The reform moved licensing to a single regulator, the Curaçao Gaming Authority, which licenses each operator directly, applies fit-and-proper checks to owners and key persons, and expects documented AML, KYC and responsible-gambling policies. Existing sub-licensees had to reapply under the new rules. Operators should treat the licence as an ongoing supervisory relationship, not a one-off certificate.

Core requirements

Applicants generally need a Curaçao-incorporated company, local director-level presence, disclosure of ultimate beneficial owners and source of funds, a business plan, technical documentation of the gaming platform, and written policies covering AML, player protection, complaints and responsible gambling. The regulator publishes its current application requirements and fees, which have been adjusted during the transition, so confirm them at the time of filing rather than relying on figures quoted online.

Timeline expectations

Timelines depend on how complete the file is and on the regulator's queue. A well-prepared application with clean UBO documentation moves faster than one where source of funds or the platform provider's certification needs follow-up. Plan for several months rather than weeks, and keep your banking preparation running in parallel so you are not waiting idle once the licence is granted.

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Banking a Curaçao operator

The reform has improved Curaçao's standing with some EMIs and payment providers, but acceptance is still selective. Underwriters will ask for the licence itself, the regulator's public register entry, your AML policy, player-fund handling, target markets (with a clear list of excluded jurisdictions), and your PSP relationships. Operators that block restricted countries, segregate player balances and can show transaction monitoring are far easier to place. Card acquiring under MCC 7995 is possible with some acquirers but usually comes with reserves.

How Xavion helps

Xavion Capital works alongside licensed corporate service providers and local gaming counsel in each jurisdiction. We coordinate the licence application, the company structure and the banking file as one project, so the entity that receives the licence is also one a specialist bank or EMI can onboard. No adviser can guarantee a licence or an account, and regulator fees and rules change, so every figure is confirmed with the regulator at the time of filing.

Frequently asked

About comparison & long-form guides.

Are old Curaçao sub-licences still valid?: The sub-licence system has been replaced. Operators who held sub-licences were required to transition to direct licences from the Curaçao Gaming Authority. If you are relying on an old sub-licence, check your status with the regulator immediately, because banks and PSPs check the public register.
Do I need a local presence in Curaçao?: Yes. The new framework requires a local company and local director-level presence, and the regulator expects key persons to be fit and proper. The exact substance expectations should be confirmed with local counsel at the time of application.
Will banks accept a Curaçao gaming licence?: Some will. Acceptance has improved since the reform, but many mainstream EU banks still decline gambling entirely. Specialist EMIs, gaming-focused PSPs and certain banks in gaming-friendly jurisdictions are the realistic options, provided your compliance file is strong.
How much does a Curaçao licence cost?: Application and annual fees are set by the Curaçao Gaming Authority and have changed during the transition. Add local company, director, legal and compliance costs. We confirm current figures with the regulator and local providers before quoting a budget, rather than using outdated numbers.
Can a Curaçao licensee accept crypto?: Many Curaçao operators accept crypto, but your AML policy must cover it, including wallet screening and source-of-funds checks on large deposits. Crypto payment providers will also check the licence and your restricted-country controls.

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Written and reviewed by

Kris — Partner, Xavion Capital

Partner at Xavion Capital. Runs the banking and payment-rails desk: account placement, high-risk onboarding files, and replacement banking after a termination.

Last reviewed

4 October 2026About the desk →

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