How to Check if an Offshore Casino Actually Holds a Curaçao Licence, and What It Means if They Don’t

Key Points

• Most offshore casinos accessible to UK players without a UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) authorisation operate under a Curaçao gaming licence governed by the Landsverordening op de Kansspelen (LOK, National Ordinance on Games of Chance), which came into force on 24 December 2024. The licence number displayed in the casino’s footer can be verified directly against the Curaçao Gaming Authority (CGA) public register at gaming-authority.cw.
• The old sub-licence system, under which four private master licensees (including Antillephone N.V. and Cyberluck N.V.) issued operating authorisations to individual casino operators, has been phased out under the LOK. A casino still citing these references without a current CGA licence number may not hold valid authorisation under the framework currently in force.
• A Curaçao licence logo in the footer is not verification. The CGA has confirmed that any seal image previously issued under the old framework is no longer valid. Only a current CGA certificate, verifiable at cert.cga.cw, and a corresponding entry on the public register, confirm valid authorisation.
• Even where a Curaçao licence is genuine and current, the operator is not subject to UKGC oversight, is not required to participate in UK-approved ADR schemes, and offers materially weaker player protections than a UKGC-licensed operator. Formal complaint, chargeback within 120 days of the transaction date, and civil action remain available.
• If a casino displays a licence it does not hold, or holds no licence at all, the 120-day chargeback window under Visa and Mastercard scheme rules is typically the most accessible and time-critical remedy available. That window runs from the transaction date and does not pause while a complaint is in progress.

If you have found a casino displaying a Curaçao licence logo and want to confirm it is genuine before depositing, or if you have already deposited and are now trying to establish whether the licence shown is real and what it means for your options, this guide sets out the verification steps, the practical consequences of each licensing outcome, and the escalation routes available to you in order.

The Curaçao Licensing Framework: What It Was, and What It Is Now

Curaçao is the most common licensing jurisdiction for offshore online casinos that accept players from markets where a local licence would otherwise be required. Online gambling has been legal and licensed in Curaçao since 1993, with the first licence issued in 1996 under the Landsverordening buitengaatse hazardspelen (LBH, National Ordinance on Offshore Games of Hazard). For nearly three decades, the framework operated through a master licence and sub-licence structure.

The old framework: master licences and sub-licences

Under the LBH, four private companies held master licences issued by the Curaçao government and were authorised to issue sub-licences to individual casino operators:

• Antillephone N.V., licence number 8048/JAZ
• Cyberluck N.V., licence number 1668/JAZ
• Gaming Curaçao N.V.
• Curaçao eGaming N.V.

A casino operating under this system held a sub-licence derivative of the master licensee’s authorisation, not a direct licence from any government body. Each master licensee operated independently, with its own contact channels and procedures. There was no single centralised register against which players could verify a sub-licence holder. Where a player had a complaint, the relevant body depended on which master licensee had issued the sub-licence, and contacting the wrong one produced no result.

This structure had a further consequence: a sub-licence was contingent on the master licensee’s continued compliance, not only on the operator’s own conduct. An operator could lose valid authorisation through circumstances at the master licensee level without any change to its own operations.

The current framework: the LOK and direct CGA licensing

The Landsverordening op de Kansspelen (LOK) was approved by the Curaçao Parliament on 17 December 2024 and came into force on 24 December 2024. The LOK replaced the LBH as the governing instrument for online gaming in Curaçao. Under the LOK:

• The Curaçao Gaming Authority (CGA), previously designated as the Gaming Control Board (GCB), is the sole licensing body for online gaming operators. The four master licensee structure has been dissolved.
• Licences are issued directly by the CGA to individual operators. A B2C (business-to-consumer) licence authorises the operator to offer remote games of chance from Curaçao directly to players.
• Operators previously licensed under the old LBH framework were required to apply for direct CGA licences. Those that did not complete this transition do not hold valid authorisation under the LOK.
• The transitional provisions under Article 15.1 of the LOK mean the LBH remains relevant for operators in the transition period, but it is no longer the governing instrument for new licensing or for operators that have completed the transition.

In plain terms: If a casino’s footer references Antillephone N.V., Cyberluck N.V., or a licence number in the format 8048/JAZ or 1668/JAZ without a current CGA licence number alongside it, that operator is citing a structure that no longer exists under Curaçao law. That reference does not constitute valid authorisation under the framework currently in force. This is a material fact about which regulatory body, if any, currently has jurisdiction over how that operator handles your account and your funds.

How to Verify a Curaçao Licence: A Step-by-Step Process

The CGA maintains a public register at gaming-authority.cw listing all operators that hold current, valid CGA licences under the LOK. Any player can check this register before depositing. The process takes approximately two minutes and the result is definitive.

Step 1: Locate the licence reference in the footer

Scroll to the bottom of the casino’s website. Licence information is typically displayed in the footer, often in small text alongside the operator’s registered company name and jurisdiction. Note the following:

• The licence number or reference displayed
• The name of the issuing body cited (CGA, Antillephone, Cyberluck, or another entity)
• Whether a CGA orange seal and certificate link are displayed
• The registered company name shown in the terms and conditions, which may differ from the trading name of the casino

Note: The CGA has confirmed that any seal image previously issued under the old framework is no longer valid and must not be displayed. Where a CGA orange seal is shown, the associated certificate should be verifiable at cert.cga.cw. If the certificate link returns an invalidity message, the displayed seal is not current.

Step 2: Check the CGA public register

Navigate to gaming-authority.cw and locate the public licence register. Search for the operator using:

• The licence number displayed in the footer
• The operating company name as shown in the terms and conditions
• The trading name of the casino

A result confirms that the CGA has issued a licence to that entity. An absence of a result means the operator does not appear in the current register. Both outcomes are material.

Step 3: Verify the certificate

Where a CGA certificate is displayed on the casino’s website, navigate to cert.cga.cw and enter the certificate reference. A valid, current certificate will display as active. An invalidity message means the certificate is not current, regardless of what is displayed on the casino’s website.

Step 4: Confirm the entity name matches the terms and conditions

The name on the CGA register must match the operating entity named in the casino’s terms and conditions. Where the terms refer to Company X and the register entry is for Company Y, verify whether Company X is listed as an approved operating entity under Company Y’s licence. A discrepancy between trading name and registered entity is common and not automatically a concern, but the registered entity must appear on the register.

Step 5: Check the licence status

The CGA register indicates whether a licence is active, suspended, or under review. A suspended licence is not valid authorisation for operating a player-facing casino. An operator whose licence is under review may be subject to regulatory action, which is relevant to the question of whether your funds are secure.

Important limitation: The CGA has stated publicly that the register overview alone does not guarantee the current validity of a licence. The register and the certificate verification at cert.cga.cw should both be checked. Where these two sources produce conflicting results, or where a licence appears in the register but the certificate returns an invalidity message, treat that as requiring further investigation before depositing.

What a Valid Curaçao Licence Means for Your Rights as a Player

A current CGA licence under the LOK gives the CGA jurisdiction over the operator’s conduct and creates defined obligations the operator must meet toward players. These obligations are materially different from those imposed by UKGC licensing. Understanding precisely what a valid Curaçao licence provides, and what it does not, determines which escalation routes are realistically available to you if a dispute arises.

What the LOK requires of licensed operators

Under the LOK and the CGA’s implementing policies, operators holding a valid CGA licence are required to:

• Maintain an internal complaints process and provide players with a formal complaint submission form, available in English and the language used on the website
• Respond to complaints within four weeks of receipt, with a single extension of up to a further four weeks permitted in complex cases, provided the player is notified in advance
• Prioritise complaints related to responsible gambling, including self-exclusion breaches, and resolve these within five business days
• Provide access to CGA-certified independent Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) providers, free of charge to the player; the operator bears all associated costs
• Offer players the ability to set deposit limits, session limits, and spending limits at the point of registration
• Provide a self-exclusion mechanism for a minimum of six months

The LOK Complaints Policy came into force on 31 July 2025. Operators were required to implement its requirements by that date. Where an operator’s complaints process does not meet these standards, this may itself constitute a breach of the operator’s licence conditions.

What a valid Curaçao licence does not provide

A CGA licence does not give a UK-resident player the protections available under UKGC licensing. The specific differences are as follows:

In plain terms: A valid Curaçao licence means the CGA has accepted regulatory responsibility for that operator under the LOK. It does not mean the UKGC will intervene in a dispute. Your practical escalation routes against a CGA-licensed operator, in order, are: formal internal complaint, CGA-certified ADR, chargeback through your card issuer, and civil action in the courts of England and Wales.

Interpreting What You Find: Four Possible Outcomes and Their Consequences

When you check the CGA register and the cert.cga.cw certificate, there are four possible outcomes. Each has different practical consequences for your position.

Outcome 1: Valid CGA licence confirmed

The operator appears on the CGA register, the certificate verifies as active, and the entity name matches the terms and conditions. This confirms the operator holds valid authorisation under the LOK. The protections and escalation routes described in Section 3 apply.

Outcome 2: Old sub-licence reference only, no CGA licence

The footer references Antillephone N.V., Cyberluck N.V., or another former master licensee, without a corresponding CGA licence number or certificate. The operator does not appear on the CGA register. This means the operator is citing a structure that no longer exists under Curaçao law.

This is not the same as holding no licence at all. The operator may have held valid authorisation under the old LBH framework. However, since the LOK came into force on 24 December 2024, and transitional provisions required operators to apply for direct CGA licences, an operator that has not completed this transition does not hold current valid authorisation under the governing framework. The CGA has no regulatory jurisdiction over that operator under the LOK.

Outcome 3: No licence reference, or reference to an unrecognised body

The footer contains no licence reference, or cites a body that is not the CGA, the MGA, the Gibraltar Gambling Commissioner, or another recognised licensing authority. This operator is operating without any verifiable regulatory authorisation. Describing such an operator as “offshore” without specifying the absence of a licence obscures a material fact: there is no regulatory body with jurisdiction over how it treats your account.

Gambling contracts are generally enforceable under the Gambling Act 2005, so the absence of a licence does not void your contract with the operator. However, it removes every layer of regulatory accountability between you and the operator.

Outcome 4: CGA licence present but certificate invalid or status suspended

The operator appears in the register but the certificate at cert.cga.cw returns an invalidity message, or the register shows the licence as suspended or under review. A suspended licence does not authorise the operator to offer player-facing gambling services. The practical consequences are similar to Outcome 3: the regulatory protection that a valid licence provides is not currently in place.

Escalation Routes: What to Do if There Is a Problem

The escalation sequence below applies where you have a dispute with a Curaçao-licensed or offshore casino. Each route is described with the relevant procedural requirement, the applicable legal or contractual basis, and the realistic outcome.

Two time constraints apply across all routes and must be noted before anything else:

• The 120-day chargeback window under Visa and Mastercard scheme rules runs from the transaction date. It does not pause while a complaint or ADR process is in progress. If you are within 120 days of the relevant transaction, this window must be treated as time-critical regardless of which other route you are pursuing.
• The six-month internal complaints window under the LOK Complaints Policy (where applicable) runs from the date of the disputed incident. Players must submit a formal complaint to the operator within this period.

Step 1: Formal complaint to the operator

Under the LOK Complaints Policy (in force 31 July 2025), CGA-licensed operators must provide a formal complaint submission form and respond within four weeks. Where the operator is not CGA-licensed, no regulatory framework compels a response, but the attempt to resolve the matter directly must be documented before any subsequent route can be pursued effectively.

When submitting a complaint:

• Use the operator’s formal complaint form rather than general customer support, where one exists
• State the specific facts: dates, amounts, and the basis of the dispute
• Keep copies of all submission confirmations, reference numbers, and responses
• Note the date of submission, as this starts the operator’s four-week response clock under the LOK

If the operator does not respond within four weeks, or the response does not resolve the dispute, you have grounds to escalate.

Step 2: CGA-certified ADR provider (where operator holds a valid CGA licence)

Under the LOK, CGA-licensed operators are required to provide access to CGA-certified independent ADR providers. This service is free to the player; the operator bears all costs. ADR providers are required to determine whether a case requires mediation or adjudication, access all relevant information from both parties, and make a determination. The ADR entity must operate a standalone website accessible to players independently of the operator’s platform.

Practical considerations:

• ADR providers approved by the CGA are listed on the CGA’s portal
• ADR is only available against operators holding a valid, current CGA licence; it is not available where the operator holds no licence or an invalid one
• The LOK ADR framework is newly established; the binding effect of ADR decisions and the track record of individual providers is not yet established at scale
• Pursuing ADR does not pause the 120-day chargeback window

Step 3: Chargeback through your card issuer

A chargeback is a reversal of a card transaction initiated by the cardholder through their issuing bank. Under Visa and Mastercard scheme rules, both of which are contractually binding between the card issuer and the cardholder, cardholders generally have 120 days from the transaction date to file a dispute. This applies regardless of the casino’s licensing status.

Relevant chargeback grounds for casino disputes may include:

• Services not received (where a withdrawal was requested and not paid)
• Misrepresentation (where the operator falsely claimed to hold a valid licence it does not hold)
• Unauthorised transaction

The chargeback process requires:

1. Contact your card issuer as soon as possible. The 120-day window runs from the transaction date, not from the date a problem became apparent.
2. Provide documentation: the transaction record, evidence of the casino’s licence claim (screenshot of footer), evidence of the CGA register check result, and copies of any correspondence with the operator.
3. Specify the reason code applicable to your dispute. Your card issuer will advise on this.
4. The card issuer initiates the chargeback with the acquiring bank. The process typically resolves within 30 to 45 days, though complex cases may take longer.

Important: Chargeback is not available where the deposit was made by cryptocurrency. No equivalent consumer protection mechanism exists under Visa or Mastercard scheme rules for crypto transactions. If your deposit was made by cryptocurrency and the chargeback route is unavailable, your remaining options are civil action and, where applicable, CGA ADR.

Step 4: Civil action

Civil action in the courts of England and Wales is available to UK-resident players against offshore casino operators. Gambling contracts are generally enforceable under the Gambling Act 2005 (binding statute in England and Wales), and terms that are unfair within the meaning of Part 2 of the Consumer Rights Act 2015 (binding statute in England and Wales) may be challenged regardless of where the operator is licensed or incorporated.

Practical considerations for civil action against offshore defendants:

• Service of process on an entity incorporated in Curaçao requires compliance with the rules on service out of the jurisdiction under the Civil Procedure Rules. This increases the complexity and cost of proceedings compared to action against a UK-registered defendant.
• Where the operator holds no licence and no UK presence, enforcement of a judgment may require further proceedings in Curaçao or the jurisdiction where the operator’s assets are held.
• The sum in dispute must justify the cost and complexity of proceedings. Civil action is most appropriate where the amount at stake is substantial and other routes have been exhausted or are unavailable.
• Under Part 2 of the Consumer Rights Act 2015, terms that create a significant imbalance in the parties’ rights and obligations, to the detriment of the consumer, are unenforceable. This is relevant where a casino relies on terms to justify withholding funds.

When Your Options Are Closed or Significantly Reduced

There are specific circumstances in which the practical routes described above are no longer available. These are stated plainly.

• The 120-day chargeback window has expired and the operator holds no valid licence. Where the most accessible remedy is no longer available and no regulatory body has jurisdiction, the remaining option is civil action. This is materially more complex without a regulatory registration to anchor enforcement.
• The deposit was made by cryptocurrency. Chargeback under Visa and Mastercard scheme rules is not available. CGA ADR may be available if the operator holds a valid CGA licence. Civil action remains open.
• The dispute relates to bonus wagering requirements rather than a licensing failure. Where an operator is withholding funds on the basis that wagering requirements attached to a bonus have not been met, this is a contractual position. Whether those terms are enforceable under Part 2 of the Consumer Rights Act 2015 is a separate question from licensing status and requires individual legal assessment.
• The operator held a valid licence at the time of the transaction but the licence has since been suspended. Chargeback may still be available depending on the transaction date and the basis of the dispute. The LOK ADR route and civil action remain available.

Where any of these circumstances apply and the sum at stake justifies professional involvement, the appropriate step is a legal assessment of the specific facts.

Documents to Gather Before Taking Any Step

The strength of every route described above depends on the documentation available. Gather the following before contacting the operator, a card issuer, or a legal adviser.

Verification documents

• Screenshot of the licence number, seal, and any certificate link as displayed in the casino’s footer, with the full URL of the page visible
• Screenshot of the CGA register search result for that operator, showing either the active licence entry or the absence of any result
• Screenshot of the cert.cga.cw certificate verification result, where a certificate was displayed on the casino’s website
• Screenshot of the casino’s terms and conditions, showing the registered company name and governing law clause

Account and transaction records

• Records of all deposits: dates, amounts, and payment method used for each
• Records of all withdrawal requests: dates, amounts, and current status of each request
• Transaction records from your bank or card issuer for all transactions with the operator
• Confirmation of any bonuses accepted and the terms applicable at the time of acceptance

Correspondence

• Copies of all emails, live chat transcripts, and support ticket records with the casino
• Any written responses received from the operator regarding complaints, withdrawal delays, or account actions
• Records of any complaint reference numbers or acknowledgements provided by the operator

For guidance specific to withdrawal disputes, including the legal basis for payment under UKGC rules and the formal complaint steps available to UK players, see our article: Casino Withholding Your Withdrawal? Your Legal Rights Explained which covers the specific steps available where a withdrawal is delayed or refused by an online casino.

For a complete procedural guide to reporting a casino that has refused payment, including which bodies to contact in what order and the documentation required at each stage, see: Step-by-Step Guide: Reporting an Online Casino That Won’t Pay (playerprotectionlegal.com).

For specific guidance on fund recovery where the operator holds no valid licence, including chargeback, civil action, and the options that remain where no regulatory body has jurisdiction, see: Can I Get My Money Back From an Unlicensed Casino? (playerprotectionlegal.com).

How Player Protection Legal Can Help

Our attorneys specialising in offshore casino disputes and gambling law offer a full range of legal services for players facing withheld withdrawals, refused payments, and fraudulent operator conduct.

If you have checked the CGA register and found that the casino you are using does not hold a valid Curaçao licence, or if you hold a Curaçao-licensed casino accountable for a withheld withdrawal, refused payment, or account closure, Player Protection Legal acts for players in disputes against offshore casino operators.

Our team has over 12 years of experience in gambling law and online casino disputes. We handle cases involving operators licensed in Curaçao and other offshore jurisdictions, as well as operators that hold no licence at all. The specific areas in which we can assist are as follows.

Licence verification and position assessment

Before committing to any course of action, we can assess your specific position: verify the operator’s licensing status, identify which escalation routes are available given the outcome, and advise on the realistic prospects of each. This applies whether you are at the pre-dispute stage or have already begun a complaint process that has not produced a result.

Formal complaint and ADR representation

We draft and submit formal complaints to casino operators on your behalf, applying the procedural requirements of the LOK Complaints Policy where applicable. Where a complaint does not resolve the matter, we can represent your position in CGA-certified ADR proceedings and provide the documentation and legal analysis required for an ADR provider to make a determination in your favour.

Chargeback support

We advise on the basis and documentation for chargeback claims against offshore casino operators, including identifying the applicable reason code, preparing the evidence package your card issuer requires, and responding to any representations made by the operator’s acquiring bank in the dispute process.

Legal action and fund recovery

Where a complaint, ADR, and chargeback have not resolved the matter, or where those routes are not available, we assess the viability of civil action in the courts of England and Wales. This includes advising on the enforceability of the operator’s terms under Part 2 of the Consumer Rights Act 2015, the service of process requirements for offshore defendants, and the steps required to enforce any judgment obtained.

We also act in cases involving unlicensed operators, where the absence of a regulatory framework removes standard escalation routes and fund recovery requires a different approach from the outset.

Request an appointment

If you have a dispute with an offshore or Curaçao-licensed casino, we offer an initial consultation to assess your position. To arrange this, use the contact form at playerprotectionlegal.com/contact. We will identify which routes are available to you, which are time-critical, and whether professional involvement is appropriate given the sum at stake.

Players seeking legal support against offshore and unlicensed casino operators can request an initial consultation and find an overview of how we work directly on our website.

What to Monitor Going Forward

The Curaçao licensing framework is in active development. The following sources provide current, authoritative information on developments that are directly relevant to the position of players at offshore casinos.

• CGA licence register at gaming-authority.cw: The definitive verification source for current CGA licences under the LOK. Updated as licences are issued, suspended, or revoked. Check this register before depositing at any casino claiming a Curaçao licence, and recheck where the status of an existing operator becomes a concern.
• CGA regulatory updates and ADR provider approvals at cga.cw: The LOK came into force in December 2024 and its implementation is continuing through 2025 and 2026. ADR provider approvals, updates to the complaints policy, and further implementing regulations will be published on the CGA’s website. The identity and contact details of approved ADR providers, which are required for the escalation route described in Section 5, will be listed here.
• Your card issuer, in relation to the 120-day chargeback window: If you have deposited at a casino where the licence status is now in question, note the date of each transaction. Under Visa and Mastercard scheme rules, cardholders generally have 120 days from the transaction date to file a dispute. That window does not pause. Contact your card issuer promptly if the sum at stake and the licensing outcome warrant a chargeback claim.