Curaçao gaming body dismisses crisis claims after board’s exit
The Curaçao Gaming Authority (CGA) has reassured the public that its operations continue uninterrupted following the resignation of its entire Supervisory Board in mid-September, dismissing concerns of a crisis or disruption to the island’s regulatory reforms.
In a recent press release, the CGA clarified that the Supervisory Board is a politically appointed oversight body established to ensure that the body operates in alignment with Curaçao’s national policy objectives. It serves as a bridge between the regulator and the government, supervising governance and policy implementation. Such appointments are regularly reviewed or reshaped when departmental mandates change, a process considered standard across ministries and public bodies worldwide, Curaçao included.
The regulator further noted, “In August 2025, administrative oversight of the CGA moved from the Ministry of Finance to the Ministry of Justice, a shift that often triggers political reviews of supervisory boards.”
Despite the resignations, the CGA emphasised that its supervision and governance remain uninterrupted, and the authority continues to operate fully independently. The process to appoint new members by the government has already begun. Furthermore, the licencing, regulatory, and compliance activities are ongoing, ensuring that the rollout of Curaçao’s modernised gambling framework remains on schedule.
No impact on operations of CGA
For the unaware, the CGA was created under the Landsverordening op de Kansspelen (LOK), Curaçao’s new gambling law adopted in December 2024 to replace the former Gaming Control Board (GCB). The LOK aims to overhaul the island’s licencing system, phase out the master and sub-licence model, and require all operators to apply directly for new licences under tighter control, strengthening transparency, compliance, and accountability.
Addressing the resignations, Aideen Short, Marketing and PR Advisor at the CGA, clarified, “Contrary to several articles, the recent stepping-down of the CGA’s Supervisory Board does not constitute a crisis or a derailment of the LOK roll-out.”
She further added, “Despite sensationalist headlines and fake-news articles, there is no delay or deviation in the rollout of the LOK, and no disruption to the CGA’s licencing or compliance programmes.”
Clarification after media reports
This clarification from CGA comes as rumors erupted that Prime Minister Gilmar Pisas assumed oversight of the body following the resignations and a meeting with management to discuss the state of the gambling sector. These developments fuelled suspicions of suggested delays or disruptions to Curaçao’s gambling reforms. However, officials emphasise that these reports are misleading and that administrative changes of this nature are routine and do not affect the authority’s operations.
Curaçao’s gaming sector has long been a significant source of revenue and international investment for the island. By confirming that governance, licencing, and compliance activities continue uninterrupted, the CGA aims to reassure operators, stakeholders, and the public that the regulatory authority remains stable, independent, and capable of implementing reforms under the LOK.
As Curaçao pushes to modernise its gaming industry and strengthen its reputation as a transparent jurisdiction, the CGA has stressed that political and administrative shifts are part of routine governance and will not derail its mission to create a fully regulated and reliable gaming sector.
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