ON-LINE GAMING UNDER THE LAWS OF THE NETHERLANDS ANTILLES
On-line gaming is a legitimate business
On-line gaming is a legitimate business activity in the Netherlands Antilles, especially Curaçao, provided the e-gaming company has obtained the proper license. The Netherlands Antilles (master) gaming licenses are based on the National Ordinance on Offshore Hazard Games.
There are two formats to be licensed:
a) having a master license or
b) having a sub-license.
A master license licenses the (e-)gaming company itself, and in addition opens the possibility to sub-license third parties subject to the responsibility and covenants under the master license. A sub-license – under a master license – offers equal possibilities to performing e-gaming business legitimately, however without the possibility to further sub-license.
Basic requirements for applying for a (sub-)license are compliance with due diligence and KYC policies, full identification of Ultimate Beneficial Owners (UBOs), satisfactory reference on UBOs as well as detailed and transparent description of the games to be offered. In the case of a master license application the decision is taken at the sole discretion of the Minister of Justice, based on the documentation submitted by the Netherlands Antilles counsel.
Karel Frielink
Attorney (Lawyer) / Partner
