In December 2025, Curaçao’s gaming regulatory body, the Curaçao Gaming Authority (CGA), was thrust into the limelight as local prosecutors launched an investigation into its operations. This move, revealed through a letter from the Financial Supervision Board (Cft), coincides with a series of broader inquiries tied to the island’s former finance minister, Javier Silvania, known for his abrupt departure from office in October.
The probe into the CGA is part of a larger series of investigations, with implications reaching across Curaçao’s governmental and regulatory frameworks. The Financial Supervision Board’s chairman, Lidewijde Ongering, confirmed that the island’s Public Prosecution Service had initiated this examination. Although the CGA has maintained silence on the matter, insiders report that the Criminal Investigation Cooperation Team (RST) has been meticulously gathering information for some time.
Curaçao has traditionally been a significant player in the global online gambling industry. Its lax supervision and lenient licensing practices in the past made it a preferred base for operators worldwide. However, recent reforms, led by the CGA’s implementation of the National Ordinance on Gambling (LOK), aim to transform the island’s gaming oversight into a model of modern regulation. The timing of this investigation is particularly sensitive, threatening to undermine these advancements.
The scrutiny of the CGA parallels several inquiries into Silvania’s tenure, which have put a spotlight on allegations of corruption and mismanagement. One such investigation involves the National Criminal Investigation Department looking into claims of corruption, while another focuses on the RST’s probe into alleged preferential treatment given to Alfonso Trona, the former head of the Tax Collector’s Office. Trona is accused of granting favors and suspending older tax debts on a massive scale.
The industry’s response to the growing unease is mixed. The Curaçao Online Gaming Association (COGA) expressed concern that the ongoing investigations into the CGA could jeopardize international trust in Curaçao’s licensing integrity. The association has been vocal about the potential damage to the reputation of the CGA and, by extension, the island’s status as a reliable licensing hub. They argue that any adverse portrayal might dissuade foreign partners and investors, who could view Curaçao’s regulatory environment as unstable.
For Curaçao, where the gambling sector forms a cornerstone of the economy, the stakes are particularly high. The introduction of the LOK and the restructuring of the CGA were strategic moves to elevate industry standards and alter perceptions. As a result, COGA fears that negative press could derail these efforts, as sensationalized reporting tends to overshadow nuanced realities. This is particularly true in a sector that garners significant international attention, where local developments are often amplified and stripped of their context.
While the potential fallout from these investigations looms large, some argue that the scrutiny is a necessary step towards genuine reform. Rigorous oversight and transparent operations could enhance the CGA’s credibility, potentially attracting more reputable operators. This alignment with global regulatory practices could eventually fortify Curaçao’s position in the competitive gambling market.
However, there remains a palpable tension as Curaçao officials have refrained from disclosing details about the investigation or its scope. This silence fuels speculation and casts uncertainty over the island’s efforts to ensure that its gaming industry can operate with transparency and integrity. Until the prosecutors clarify their objectives, the cloud of potential regulatory failure continues to hang over the island.
The investigation into the CGA occurs against a backdrop of significant economic reliance on the gambling sector. Curaçao’s gaming industry has historically contributed substantially to its GDP, a fact that underscores the importance of maintaining a stable and reputable regulatory environment. The island’s efforts to overhaul its gaming laws and regulatory practices reflect a broader global trend, wherein jurisdictions seek to balance revenue generation with ethical oversight.
In light of these developments, some experts suggest that Curaçao could benefit from examining similar regulatory evolutions in other gambling hubs such as Malta or Gibraltar. Both regions have faced their own challenges but have managed to retain credibility through stringent regulatory reforms and international collaborations.
Nevertheless, the inherent risk remains that any misstep during this investigative period could have adverse effects. If the CGA is found to have engaged in improper practices, the ramifications could extend beyond reputational damage. It could lead to legal repercussions and a potential exodus of operators seeking more stable jurisdictions, further straining the island’s economy.
As Curaçao navigates this precarious situation, it must tread carefully to balance transparency and reform with the economic realities of its gaming-dependent economy. The unfolding investigations present both a challenge and an opportunity—an impetus to reinforce the island’s commitment to ethical gaming practices and reestablish its credibility on the international stage. The coming months will likely be pivotal, determining whether Curaçao emerges as a reformed leader in the global gambling sector or struggles under the weight of its past regulatory missteps.
