New measures to enhance transparency and trust in online gambling

WILLEMSTAD – In a significant move to bolster transparency and credibility in the online gambling sector, licensed online casinos in Curaçao are now required to display a digital seal on their websites.

This regulation, effective from January 1, 2024, applies to online casinos that have undergone the licensing process under the National Ordinance on Games of Chance (LOK) in Curaçao.

Aideen Shortt, advisor to the Ministry of Finance in Curaçao, recently announced the implementation of a special digital seal during mid-December. This initiative comes as part of the ongoing efforts to reform the gambling regulatory framework in Curaçao. The new legislation, under the National Ordinance on Games of Chance, is currently awaiting approval from parliament.

The primary objective of this new gambling law is to dismantle the existing structure involving master license holders and sublicense holders. Furthermore, it aims to enhance Curaçao’s reputation as a trustworthy and responsible gambling jurisdiction.

To counter potential misuse and misrepresentation, the Gaming Control Board (GCB) has introduced a digital seal. Licensed operators who have successfully completed the registration process for a LOK license can prominently display this seal on their respective websites. This digital mark serves as a quick reference for visitors to verify the licensed status of the online casino.

However, not all sublicense holders are eligible to use the digital seal. The Ministry of Finance, in a press release, clarified that only providers who have completed the registration process in the GCB portal are authorized to showcase the seal on their websites.

Certain conditions accompany the placement of the seal on the website. Online casinos must ensure that the seal is prominently featured on the landing page that users visit when accessing the website. Additionally, the seal must be legible to the human eye, and any attempts to alter or obscure it are strictly prohibited.

Providers who have not yet completed the registration process in the portal, even if holding a sublicense, are expressly forbidden from displaying the digital seal. The Ministry of Finance has emphasized that such operators should refrain from creating an impression that they meet the specified criteria. However, the press release does not outline specific sanctions for non-compliance.

The digital seal prominently features the URL cert.gcb.cw. While the website is not currently active, it remains unclear whether a publicly accessible register will be established on this platform.

This move aligns with the practices of other regulatory bodies globally. Various regulators, such as the Dutch Gambling Authority in the Netherlands, have introduced similar measures to enhance transparency. Typically, these initiatives are accompanied by publicly available registers of licensed operators to provide additional verification for consumers. In Curaçao, this measure is expected to significantly contribute to a more accountable and reliable online gambling environment.

Bron: Curacao Chronicle

Naschrift KKC

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