CuraçaoCompany formation, tax and banking

Why people choose Curaçao

• Licensing takes three to six months, depending on your application
• Credible, without the cost or timeline of a Malta or UK licence
• Direct supervision by the Gaming Control Board (GCB) since December 2023
• Operators that accept crypto can be licensed, with anti-money-laundering controls
• Online businesses can usually get much lower effective rates through the qualifying-activity scheme

Where Curaçao fits

• iGaming B2C/B2B
• Fintech
• Crypto

Where Curaçao fits in a structure

Typical role · Licensed gaming operator

The Curaçao company holds its own gaming licence, supervised directly by the GCB, and serves players in markets outside the EU. Company tax is 22% on local profits, with exemptions and lower rates for qualifying export services. It relies on EU payment providers and card firms that accept Curaçao licences, since local banking for gaming operators is limited.

What it depends onThe LOK requires real presence in Curaçao, with local directors, an office, staff and a reserve fund, so it only suits an operator that can genuinely commit to that.

A simplified picture to explain the idea, not a recommendation. General information, not tax or legal advice.

Opening a bank account

Banking in Curaçao is limited for gaming operators. Payments are usually handled through EU payment providers and card acquirers that accept Curaçao licences; local accounts are used for admin.

How tax works here

22% company tax on local profits, with exemptions and lower rates for qualifying export services. Online businesses can usually achieve much lower effective rates through the qualifying-activity scheme.

Real presence, and who can see the owners

The new LOK rules require real presence in Curaçao — local directors, an office, staff and a reserve fund. That's a big step up from before 2023 and closes much of the gap with top-tier gaming regulators.

When to choose it

Choose Curaçao for online gaming operators serving markets outside the EU where cost and speed matter more than a top-tier licence — and where the operator can genuinely commit to real presence under the LOK.

You get a written comparison, not a sales pitch.

Every Curaçao recommendation comes as a written comparison with the alternatives — whether the setup will stand up to scrutiny, how easy banking will be, which tax treaties apply, who can see the owners, what it costs to run each year and the risk to your reputation — so you can see the trade-offs before you commit.