CGA Confirms Gaming License Fees Collected Through Foreign Bank Accounts

Two years after Curaçao introduced the Wet betaalbare huur — a law designed to make rents more affordable — experts say it has backfired dramatically, with landlords now selling their rental properties in large numbers rather than complying with the new price caps. Critics are bluntly accusing the government of having effectively 'smoked out' the private rental sector through the legislation. The mass sell-off is shrinking the available pool of rental housing on the island, making it harder — not easier — for residents to find affordable places to live. Readers and housing advocates have raised concerns about whether the law has truly helped the people it was intended to protect. The situation highlights a growing tension between well-intentioned housing regulation and the real-world behavior of private property owners in a small island market. Experts are now calling on the government to reassess its approach before the rental market contracts further.

The Curaçao government has launched a nationwide review of court rulings that have not yet been implemented, following a report by the island's Ombudsman. The initiative signals growing concern over the government's compliance with judicial decisions, a long-standing issue that affects citizens who have won legal cases against the state but have yet to see results. The Ombudsman's report reportedly identified a pattern of delays and non-compliance that undermines public trust in both the judiciary and the executive branch. By initiating this review, the government is acknowledging the problem and signaling a commitment to address the backlog. The outcome of the review is expected to have direct consequences for individuals and organizations awaiting enforcement of favorable rulings. This move is significant in a small-island context where institutional accountability is closely watched by civil society. No timeline for completion of the review has been publicly announced.

The Curaçao Gaming Authority (CGA) has publicly defended its decision to maintain a bank account in the Czech Republic, pushing back against criticism that has sparked political controversy on the island. The CGA argued that the arrangement is a practical and legally sound solution to ongoing difficulties in securing banking services locally and internationally, a challenge common among gaming regulatory bodies. Officials emphasized that the account is used transparently and in full compliance with applicable financial regulations. The controversy has drawn attention from local politicians who have questioned the appropriateness of a Curaçao government-linked entity operating finances through a foreign bank in Central Europe. The CGA's defense comes as the island continues efforts to reform and professionalize its online gaming regulatory framework, which licenses a significant portion of the global online gambling market. The political scrutiny adds pressure to an authority already navigating a complex international compliance environment. The outcome of this dispute could have implications for the CGA's credibility and the broader reform process currently underway.