Leaked Documents Expose Curaçao's Secretive Online Gambling Industry

The Central Bank of Curaçao and Sint Maarten (CBCS) announced on September 17, 2026, that it is raising its official lending rate ('beleningsrente') to 4.50%. The decision was made in response to an anticipated decline in foreign exchange reserves. The mandatory reserve requirement remains unchanged at 18.50%. The CBCS serves as the joint central bank for both Curaçao and Sint Maarten, and its interest rate decisions directly influence monetary conditions across both islands. Raising the official rate is a standard monetary policy tool used to support the stability of the Antillean guilder and manage capital outflows. The move signals concern about external financial pressures and aims to make holding local currency more attractive.

The Foundation for the Protection of Competition in Curaçao (FTAC) has taken action against the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) over exclusivity rules that are impacting local dive schools on the island. The regulations in question reportedly restrict dive schools affiliated with PADI from offering instruction or certifications through competing diving certification organizations. FTAC argues these exclusivity clauses limit fair competition in Curaçao's dive training market, which is a significant segment of the island's tourism economy. The authority's move signals a formal regulatory challenge, which could compel PADI to revise its contractual agreements with Curaçao-based operators. This case is particularly relevant for Curaçao given that scuba diving is one of the island's premier tourist attractions, drawing thousands of visitors annually. The outcome could reshape how dive schools on the island operate and which certification bodies they are permitted to work with. No immediate resolution has been reported, and the case is expected to proceed through regulatory review.

The Central Bank of Curaçao and Sint Maarten (CBCS) has announced changes to its deposit program aimed at keeping more bank liquidity within the Curaçao-Sint Maarten monetary union. The move is designed to discourage commercial banks from parking excess funds outside the union and instead encourage them to deposit surplus liquidity with the central bank locally. By retaining more liquidity within the monetary system, the CBCS seeks to strengthen financial stability and support the local economy. The adjustment reflects ongoing efforts by the central bank to maintain control over monetary conditions in both island territories, which share the Netherlands Antillean guilder. Such policy tools are critical for managing inflation, credit availability, and overall economic health within the union. The change signals a proactive approach by the CBCS to tighten its grip on the flow of capital in the twin-island monetary area.