The Curaçao gambling license used to be among the most prestigious and desirable ones for iGaming operators. However, since September 1, 2023, things have changed. New regulations adopted as of that date have made it less attractive and more challenging to obtain for many potential licensees. As a result, some of them are looking for alternative jurisdictions to receive their gambling licenses. One of the best options is Comoros, a jurisdiction that has been offering gambling licenses since 2005 but has not received much attention from the gambling industry until now.
Curaçao’s gambling license
The Curaçao gambling license was one of the first to regulate the iGaming industry, which emerged in 1996. This jurisdiction allowed online gaming operators to reach global customers with a local license. The Curacao Gaming Control Board (CGCB) was the authority that issued the license, which had two types: master and sub-licenses.
Only four entities in Curaçao had master licenses, which gave them the power to grant sub-licenses to other operators who met their criteria. Master license holders could set their own terms and conditions for sub-licensees, with no official guidelines for player protection.
Curaçao’s gambling sector has amended its regulations since September 2023. The sub-license scheme has been discontinued and a new regulator, the Curacao Gaming Authority (CGA), has been established. From now on, sub-license holders have to get a new license within 12 months, as provided for under the new rules.
Now, you may apply for only these two gambling license types:
- B2C license: These licenses are issued to companies that offer gambling services directly to customers, e.g., online casinos, sports betting, poker, and other gaming operators.
- B2B license: In Curaçao, B2B license holders are companies that provide technical solutions, software, and related services to other gambling market participants.
As of 2025, getting a gambling license in Curaçao is more complex and expensive than before. The cost of a license in Curaçao is from 70,000 EUR. Unlike in earlier days, licensees also have to undergo audits now to verify the sources of their funds. Player commissions, partnership agreements, and other financial aspects will be subject to far greater scrutiny.
The authorities are also about to examine the founders and key stakeholders of gambling companies to make sure the latter have clean backgrounds and their sources of funds are legal. Sometimes, they will also check the gambling software and review contracts with gaming content providers, as well as any other relevant documents.
Moreover, Curaçao has strengthened its rules on responsible gaming. This is because the island faced economic challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic and needed financial assistance from the Dutch government. To receive it, one of the conditions the jurisdiction had to meet was to reform its gambling sector.
As a result, sub-license holders have to either follow the new rules or look for other jurisdictions to set up companies and operate.
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Gambling licensing in Comoros
For the moment, Comoros is a great choice to get your gambling license. Cheap, quick, and easy to obtain, the Comoros gambling license is supervised by the local Financial Services Commission established under the Financial Services Commission Act (FSCA).
Flexible and suitable for both B2B and B2C companies, the above license covers various gambling activities, including online casinos, poker rooms, gaming software, and games. Gambling entrepreneurs can easily operate in different segments of the industry with this license.
Comoros comes with significant tax benefits for licensees, as they do not have to face tax audits or pay tax on their gross gaming revenue. This gives Comoros gambling companies more financial freedom, allowing them to focus on their business development and needs.
Comoros makes it easy to get a gambling license remotely, without the need for the business owner to be physically present.
Comoros gaming service providers are obliged to trace any suspicious transactions, making sure that the latter are safe and legal. They have to verify the identity of their players and prevent money laundering.
Acquiring a gambling license in Comoros: requirements to meet
To get a gambling license in Comoros, entrepreneurs have to set up an International Business Company (IBC) in Mwali first. The company must have at least one shareholder and director, with a minimum authorized capital of EUR 250,000 or USD 250,000. Its founders also need to prepare a document package, which includes copies of passports for all company directors and shareholders, their bank account statements, and proof of residential addresses.
In Comoros, the licensing procedure in the case of a gambling license usually takes up to four weeks, and the costs start from EUR 39,750.
On a final note
The golden days of the Curaçao gambling license seem to be gone. It is not as easy to obtain one in 2024 as it used to be. The corresponding regulations and requirements are stricter now because the Dutch government pressured Curaçao to change them. Applicants at the same time face multiple new requirements. You might know that Curaçao is an island in the Caribbean Sea that belongs to the Netherlands. In this situation, many sub-license holders are looking for other places to get their gambling licenses. Under the new regulations, they have 12 months to either follow the said amended rules or give up their Curaçao gambling licenses altogether.
In this context, Comoros offers a great opportunity for you to get a gambling license. Easy to obtain and flexible, the Comoros gambling license allows different types of gambling activities under one document.
Below, you will find a couple of other licenses you can get for your business in Comoros:
If you are interested in obtaining a gambling license in Comoros or pursuing any other business opportunities in the jurisdiction, don’t wait a second longer to contact the Q Wealth team and have your wishes granted. For your convenience, our contact information is provided on the Q Wealth website.
04 December 2023 