Compliance Updates
Brace Yourselves: Curacao’s New Gambling Law Is at the Door

Curacao is approaching the finishing line of its online gambling reform with the new law being sent to the parliament earlier this week. Markus Bjork at Slotsoo has been in touch with both the Ministry of Finance and several Curacao operators to find out how they feel about this big change. Do European license providers have a reason to feel threatened by Curacao casinos 2.0?
LOK Now Just Waiting for Parliament Approval
On December 19, Curacao’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 Curacao casino licenses 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 European Union players how they feel about Curacao 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 Curacao 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 Curacao’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 sub-licensing 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 Curacao License Will Remain Tax Free
Curacao 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 Curacao license as:
- No tax on winnings
- No restrictions on player nationality
- Strong regulatory framework
Curacao 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 Curacao 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 Curacao casino will be approximately €50,000 a year (annual license fee of €24,600 plus twelve monthly fees of €2,050 and yearly domain fees of €250 each with these 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 January 1, 2024. The digital seal is issued by Curacao’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 Curacao, 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 spoke 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 Curacao good luck with its new start in 2024.
Compliance Updates
Digitain’s Paydrom Receives PCI DSS Certification

Digitain is proud to announce that its payment platform, Paydrom, has successfully achieved PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard) certification. This certification marks a key step in Paydrom’s mission to provide a trusted and secure payment environment for its partners.
The PCI DSS certification is a globally recognized standard designed to ensure that companies processing, storing, or transmitting credit card information maintain a secure environment. By obtaining this certification, Paydrom demonstrates its dedication to safeguarding sensitive customer data and preventing fraud across its payment services.
Arin Andriazian, Chief of Paydrom Product, commented: “Receiving PCI DSS certification is a significant validation of the secure infrastructure we’ve built at Paydrom. In an industry where trust and reliability are non-negotiable, this achievement sends a clear message to the industry: the customers’ sensitive data are protected by world-class security standards.
As we continue to expand globally, maintaining the highest levels of data protection will remain central to our promise to every partner who relies on Paydrom.”
Arshak Muradyan, Group Chief Compliance Officer at Digitain, added: “The PCI DSS certification reflects our long-term vision to deliver a payment platform, along with the entire products portfolio of the Digitain Group in the gambling sphere, that is as efficient as it is innovative. From a compliance perspective, this certification is a critical milestone that strengthens the foundation built on transparency, consistency, and security. It ensures that our partners can rely on Paydrom and the Digitain Group’s solutions with full confidence, knowing that every transaction and product interaction upholds the highest standards of data integrity and protection. This achievement reaffirms our commitment to maintaining rigorous compliance standards essential for safeguarding sensitive payment data and sustaining trust across all our offerings”.
With this certification, Paydrom continues to offer businesses a safe and efficient way to manage their payments. The certification also assures partners and clients that Paydrom follows strict protocols to protect sensitive payment information.
The post Digitain’s Paydrom Receives PCI DSS Certification appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Compliance Updates
New Zealand Government Releases Refreshed Strategy to Prevent and Minimise Gambling Harm

The Minister for Mental Health in New Zealand, Matt Doocey, has announced that the Government has released the refreshed Strategy to Prevent and Minimise Gambling Harm.
“The updated strategy includes a targeted investment of over $81 million to improve access to support, strengthen prevention and early intervention and reduce the impact of gambling-related harm across New Zealand,” Mr Doocey said.
“We know that simply announcing strategies isn’t enough to make a material difference. We want New Zealanders to see real change and make progress, that is why as part of this strategy we’ve built in an independent review in 2025/26 to track what’s working, and what’s not.
“The strategy focuses on delivering timely, effective support for individuals, families and communities affected by gambling harm. Key areas of investment include increasing access to treatment and support, improving prevention and early intervention initiatives, and improving the effectiveness of support for those experiencing gambling harm.
“We know one of the biggest barriers to people accessing support is workforce, that is why the plan includes ways we will grow the gambling harm workforce. We will be creating up to 18 additional clinical internship places.
“It is expected these interns will be supported to develop gambling harm expertise by working closely with a supervisor in a clinical setting. This approach is necessary to bridge the gap between education and work and will give interns the practical experience needed to help people affected by gambling harm.
“Not only will this ensure more people can access help, but this will also support people who could otherwise struggle to meet the requirements to become registered clinicians.
“One in five New Zealanders will be affected by gambling harm in their lifetime—either directly or through someone they know. This can have devastating effects not only on individuals, but also on their families and wider communities.”
Services will be funded through the new Problem Gambling Levy Regulations, paid by non-casino gaming machine operators, casinos, TAB NZ and Lotto NZ. Work is also underway on how online casino operators will contribute under upcoming regulations.
The strategy was developed through a two-stage consultation process and strongly reflects the voices of people with lived experience.
“I want to thank those who shared their experiences with us. You’ve helped ensure this strategy is reflective of real-life experiences and have helped to ground the strategy with a strong understanding of what support works best for you and our communities,” Mr Doocey said.
The post New Zealand Government Releases Refreshed Strategy to Prevent and Minimise Gambling Harm appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Ben Clemes
High Roller Submits Gaming License Application in Ontario

High Roller Technologies, operator of the premium online casino brands High Roller and Fruta, announced the submission of its Internet Gaming Operator license application in Ontario, Canada, targeting the launch of its flagship brand HighRoller.com in the second half of 2025.
“The submission of our licensing application to access Ontario’s regulated online gambling market is an important milestone in our Company’s journey. Once our application is approved, we anticipate that we will have the opportunity to launch our online casino product into the market later this year,” said Ben Clemes, Chief Executive Officer at High Roller.
Ontario is one of the largest regulated online gambling markets in the world as measured by gross gaming revenue. In 2024, regulated online gambling operators within the province generated approximately $2.3B in gross gaming revenue, and growth continues to be recorded in the first half of 2025. Recently, the province of Alberta passed enabling legislation to establish a regulatory framework for online gambling. Once available, the Company also intends to pursue licensure in Alberta to expand its regulated market footprint in Canada.
“Ontario is missing an elegant brand like High Roller. We’re excited to roll out the red carpet for our new customers, and we’re looking forward to showcasing our tremendous product,” said Clemes.
The post High Roller Submits Gaming License Application in Ontario appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
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