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Compliance Updates

Brace Yourselves: Curaçao’s New Gambling Law Is at the Door!

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Curaçao is approaching the finishing line of their online gambling reform, with the new law being sent to the parliament. Markus Björk at Slotsoo has been in touch with both the Ministry of Finance and several Curaçao operators to find out how they feel about this big change. Do European license providers have a reason to feel threatened by Curaçao casinos 2.0?

LOK Now Just Waiting for Parliament Approval

On December 19th, Curaçao’s Ministry of Finance informed that the new law has been officially submitted to the parliament. The National Ordinance for Games of Chance, commonly referred to as LOK (Landsverordening op de kansspelen), is expected to come into effect in the first half of 2024.

Finance Minister Javier Silvania, the front figure of the reform, shares his excitement about this historical moment:

“We are very happy to reach this final stage. The submission of the LOK to Parliament is not just a procedural step, but a leap towards transformative progress.”

No More Master Licenses or Middle Men

The current setup of the Curaçao casino license is very unique, with four master license holders being in charge of giving licenses to individual casino operators and ensuring their compliance to the regulations.

This has resulted in big quality differences, and if you were to ask ten EU players how they feel about Curaçao casinos you would get very varied replies. Another critique with the current system is that most of the financial gain goes to the four master license holders, while the island of Curaçao is left with light pockets.

LOK will put an end to master licenses and middle men and require all licenses to be applied directly from Curaçao’s Gaming Control Board. This means more uniformed quality and better control. The new law will also require gambling companies to have physical presence on the island, creating new job opportunities for the locals.

The Curaçao casinos we interviewed all welcome the new setup. Spinwise (Tsars Casino) sees some hurdles, but says it will be worth it in the long run:

“The prohibition of sublicensing by master licensees introduces a new financial dynamic for individual companies, albeit with associated fees. While adaptation to the new framework may pose short-term challenges, the long-term benefits are expected to outweigh these initial obstacles.”

The Curaçao License Will Remain Tax Free

Curaçao has been a popular license choice for casino entrepreneurs ever since its conception. Alpha Affiliates’ Chief Legal Officer Alexandra Shepelevich lists the three main benefits of the Curaçao license:
  1. No tax on winnings
  2. No restrictions on player nationality
  3. Strong regulatory framework
Curaçao will not try to change this recipe with the new law. The Gross profit tax will stay at 0% for all license holders no matter how big or small the revenue is. This is a stark contrast to most licenses in Europe.
A common concern among Curaçao operators is that the new system will cause a high barrier for entry, which some see as a positive thing. The new fees for a Curaçao casino will be approximately 50000€ a year (annual license fee 24600€ + monthly fee 12 x 2050€ + yearly domain fee 250€/each, numbers based on current ANG-EUR exchange rates).
Another strategy to keep unserious casinos away is the introduction of a digital seal, which will be made available on 1st of January 2024. The digital seal is issued by Curaçao’s Gaming Control Board and will help players confirm that the website has an active license.

Keeping the Balance Is Crucial for Success

Finance Minister Javier Silvania shares that they had a very inclusive approach when drafting the new law. They consulted all the stakeholders to make sure LOK will consider different perspectives and not just serve one group. The country of Curaçao, its citizens, the gambling industry, and the players should all benefit from the reform.

Many license jurisdictions that go through a re-regulation fall into the trap of legislating too much, without the government listening to the industry or the players enough. This leads to fewer license holders and lower channelization rates, as both the operators and the players search for more attractive solutions from other countries.

All the casinos that we spoked to agree that a good balance between regulations and operational freedom needs to remain. Mark Wellington, Rollino Casino’s Chief Compliance Officer, elaborates this point in his interview with Slotsoo:
“One current challenge is maintaining a balance between fostering innovation and ensuring strict compliance with regulatory standards. Striking this balance is crucial to support a dynamic and competitive industry while safeguarding player interests.”

We wish Curaçao good luck with their new start in 2024!

Ahmed Baker Chief Commercial Officer at Incentive Games

INCENTIVE GAMES SECURES MICHIGAN GAMING LICENSE

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Incentive Games, a leading B2B games provider, is proud to announce that it has been awarded a Provisional Michigan gaming licence by the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB), effective today. This achievement allows the company to bring its innovative suite of Real-Money Games to operators and players across the state.

The Michigan licence represents Incentive Games’ first foray into the North American regulated market. This comes shortly after the launch of Incentive Studios, the company’s dedicated Real-Money Gaming division, which is set to drive its ambitious growth in this sector. The licence underscores the company’s unwavering commitment to maintaining the highest standards of compliance, security, and operational integrity. Obtaining this licence, which requires excellence in areas such as robust security protocols and comprehensive responsible gaming measures, provides access to one of the most dynamic iGaming markets in the United States.

Ahmed Baker, Chief Commercial Officer at Incentive Games, said, “Securing our Michigan licence marks an exciting new chapter for Incentive Games. It’s a testament to our unwavering commitment to meeting the highest regulatory standards and unlocks a significant opportunity for us in a critical North American growth market. This will allow Incentive Games to forge new partnerships and bring our highly engaging Real-Money Games directly to players in Michigan. We’re very grateful to the MGCB for this achievement, which is a pivotal step in our global expansion strategy as we continue to deliver world-class products and build strong partnerships in the region.”

The post INCENTIVE GAMES SECURES MICHIGAN GAMING LICENSE appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

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MIXI Receives AGCO Approval for PointsBet Acquisition

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PointsBet Holdings Limited announced that MIXI has received written confirmation that AGCO has no concerns with the proposed acquisition by MIXI of the shares in PointsBet Holdings Limited.

PointsBet has also received written confirmation from iGaming Ontario (iGO) in relation to MIXI’s proposed acquisition of shares in PointsBet.

Accordingly, the condition precedent to MIXI’s proposed PointsBet-Board recommended Takeover Bid relating to Ontario approvals in paragraph 4.5 of Schedule 1 of the Bid Implementation Deed dated 16 June 2025 (BID) has been satisfied.

MIXI’s proposed Takeover Bid remains subject to the satisfaction of certain other limited conditions as previously announced, including a 50.1% minimum acceptance of the proposed MIXI Offer (as defined in the BID).

The Northern Territory Racing and Wagering Commission provided its approval on 24 March 2025 for MIXI to acquire PointsBet. PointsBet confirmed that MIXI’s proposed Takeover Bid is no longer subject to any gaming regulatory approvals.

The post MIXI Receives AGCO Approval for PointsBet Acquisition appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

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Compliance Updates

WorldMatch gains Malta Gaming Authority recognition

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WorldMatch, leading provider of online casino games, is pleased to announce that it has obtained the Recognition Letter from the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA). This important milestone officially authorizes WorldMatch to provide its services to B2C operators holding an MGA license.

The acquisition of the Recognition Letter represents a significant step forward for WorldMatch, greatly expanding its commercial opportunities in regulated markets beyond those it currently serves, and further strengthening the company’s position in the online gaming sector.

“We are extremely proud to have received the Recognition Letter from the Malta Gaming Authority,” said Andrea Boratto, CEO of WorldMatch. “This recognition not only confirms our commitment to high standards of compliance and transparency, but also serves as a key lever to consolidate our presence in regulated markets and grow our customer base globally. In many ways, it’s a return to Malta and at the same time a new opening toward growth opportunities.”

The Malta Gaming Authority is widely recognized for the excellence and rigor of its regulatory standards. Obtaining the Recognition Letter complements a series of certifications already acquired by WorldMatch in major European markets, further strengthening the company’s reputation as a reliable, compliant, and innovative partner.

With this new authorization, WorldMatch is ready to strengthen its presence in international markets, providing its B2C operator partners with a broad library of high- quality, technologically advanced games.

The post WorldMatch gains Malta Gaming Authority recognition appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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