WILLEMSTAD – The Public Prosecutor’s Office and the Curaçao Police have received a formal criminal complaint alleging serious violations of gambling, financial, and consumer protection laws by an online gambling network said to be operating from or through Curaçao.
According to the complaint, multiple online casino brands are accused of offering gambling services without a valid license from the Curaçao Gaming Authority, which would constitute a criminal offense under the National Ordinance for Games of Chance (LOK) 2025. The complainant claims the platforms continued operating despite lacking the required authorization to provide gambling services linked to Curaçao.
In addition to unlicensed gambling, the complaint raises allegations of financial fraud and deception of banks. It is alleged that transactions were deliberately misclassified using incorrect merchant category codes in order to bypass gambling blocks imposed by financial institutions. Such practices, if proven, could fall under anti-money laundering legislation and financial crime statutes.
A central element of the complaint concerns the alleged exploitation of a vulnerable individual. The complainant states that after explicitly declaring a gambling addiction and requesting self-exclusion, accounts remained active. The platforms are accused of knowingly offering retention bonuses after the self-exclusion request, allegedly encouraging continued gambling despite awareness of the individual’s vulnerability. This conduct is described in the complaint as a breach of duty of care and a form of predatory financial exploitation.
The complaint also alleges fraudulent misrepresentation toward consumers. The online platforms are said to have displayed trust seals and references to international regulation that they were not entitled to use, creating the impression of legitimate oversight. Additionally, marketing claims such as “instant withdrawals” are alleged to be misleading, with delays imposed that allegedly increased the risk of players continuing to gamble while waiting for payouts.
The complainant has submitted documentation, including screenshots, transaction records, and communications, to support the allegations and has requested that authorities launch an investigation into the ownership structures, licensing status, and financial flows associated with the platforms. A refund of funds deposited after the self-exclusion request has also been sought.
At this stage, the authorities have not publicly commented on the complaint or confirmed whether a formal investigation has been opened. The case comes amid increased scrutiny of online gambling operations connected to Curaçao, particularly under the updated regulatory framework introduced in 2024 and 2025 aimed at strengthening oversight, consumer protection, and enforcement against illegal operators.