Javier Silvania, Minister of Finance in the government of Curacao, has released a statement in which he condemns what he calls “misinformation” regarding the country’s new gambling law.
The National Ordinance for Games of Chance, a new legislation that will completely overhaul how gambling is regulated in Curacao, was submitted to the country’s Parliament for approval in December 2023. Until the new legislation is approved, Curacao will continue to operate under the existing National Ordinance on Offshore Games of Hazard legislation.
In the statement the Minister of Finance admitted that the National Ordinance for Games of Chance and its submission to Parliament was expected to generate a “wider debate.” However, Javier Silvania was keen on warning against the spreading of misinformation regarding the legislative process.
The Minister of Finance explained that he noticed “a significant amount of misinformation” and strongly urged “against the further propagation of unverified rumors or speculation” regarding the new legislation. “Full and accurate information can only be guaranteed when issued by either the ministry itself or the Curacao Gaming Control Board,” Silvania added.
Current License Issuing Process Remains in Place
The Minister of Finance also expressed his full support for the Curacao Gaming Control Board as it will transition towards the new legislative framework. “To suggest otherwise would be reckless and misleading,” Javier Silvania warned.
Moreover, the Minister of Finance confirmed through the respective statement that the current license issuing process remains in place. According to Javier Silvania that also means that “the Critical Milestones published on 20th December 2023 are likewise unaltered.”
The Critical Milestones document detailed the ministry’s process for transitioning from the current framework to the new one. One of the key dates in the process will be 31 March 2024, because from this date, the registration of sub-licenses on the Gaming Control Board website and the subsequent application for a direct license will no longer be possible. Moreover, no new license extensions or renewals of master licenses will be possible after this date.
The Curacao Gaming Control Board has also renewed all gambling licenses and from 1 January 2024, all license holders were allowed to begin displaying a digital seal on their online casino websites. The application process for operators kicked off on 1 September 2023 through the opening of the online portal, which began accepting account registrations for applicants and sub-licence holders on 1 November 2023.
Source: “Curaçao minister of finance blasts LOK “misinformation”. iGaming Business. January 11, 2024.