A landmark ruling by Curaçao’s Common Court of Justice has provided much-needed clarity regarding the administrative and political responsibility of the island’s online gambling sector.
The court ruled that the primary authority for decisions and public disclosure regarding gambling licenses rests with the government and the responsible minister, currently Minister of Justice Shalten Hato.
Legal Clarity for the New Regime
The case was initiated by journalist Nardy Cramm, who sought documents related to the sector under Curaçao’s National Ordinance on Public Access to Government Information (Lob). Cramm had argued that the Governor, Mauritsz de Kort, was the ultimate decision-maker.
However, the court rejected this premise, clarifying that while licenses are granted through national decrees signed by the Governor, the political and operational responsibility falls squarely on the relevant ministers.
This decision cements the Ministry of Justice as the paramount overseer of the island’s gaming industry. The shift in oversight began with the implementation of the National Ordinance on Games of Chance (LoK) in late 2024, which established the Curaçao Gaming Authority (CGA).
A Natural Progression in Regulation
The CGA’s Aideen Shortt previously characterized the move toward the Justice portfolio as a logical step in the jurisdiction’s evolution. Speaking to iGaming Expert in October 2025, she noted:
“Having built the legal and operational foundations for the new regime, the CGA is now focused on supervision and monitoring – areas that naturally fall within the Justice portfolio.”
This latest judicial confirmation by the Curaçao’s Common Court of Justice is expected to stabilize the market as Curaçao transitions away from its legacy “master license” system toward a more transparent, internationally recognized regulatory framework.
