Navigating Online Casino Licensing in Europe: Need Advice for My Project!

Hey there! I’m a university student, and this year I need to earn some extra credits, so I decided to tackle a project on the online gambling industry in Europe. Honestly, I thought it would be a breeze, but it’s turning out to be way more complex than I anticipated. Right now, I’m focusing on the licensing aspect, trying to wrap my head around how the different licenses work and what’s ideal for operators, especially those targeting players from Europe and the UK. Curacao keeps coming up as the go-to license for many online casinos because it’s relatively easy to obtain and offers a lot of flexibility. But I’ve also come across some concerns in articles, saying that relying heavily on the Curacao license can be risky, especially with all the new regulations on the horizon. It seems like this license may not offer the protection that operators expect it to. So here’s where I need some help. My project is all about casino operators, and I’m trying to figure out if there are better, safer licensing options out there. Are there any other licenses or jurisdictions that might be worth exploring for operators looking to stay on the safe side? If anyone has experience with this or any insights, I’d really appreciate the help. I want to make sure my project is thorough, so any tips or advice would be amazing!

Thanks a ton in advance!🙏

Yeah, Curacao is the first licence you’ll come across when looking at online casinos. It’s pretty easy (probably the easiest) to get, but it’s starting to cause problems for operators. They’ve become quite vulnerable if European players decide they want refunds for money they fairly lost. Recently, Dama N.V., a major player in the online gambling world, got caught up in legal and financial issues that have really highlighted the flaws in Curacao’s licensing and judicial system.

One of the big problems with the Curacao licence is that operators have to establish their companies in Curacao. This puts them directly under the jurisdiction of Curacao’s courts, which, as we’ve seen with the Dama N.V. case, don’t always work in line with what the regulators are trying to achieve. Unlike other jurisdictions, Curacao’s approach subjects operators to local court scrutiny, and that might not give them the legal protection they need to keep their businesses stable. This is a significant downside when you compare it to other licensing regimes where operators aren’t required to set up shop within the licensing jurisdiction.

As far as I know, there are a few good alternatives to Curacao. Places like Kahnawake, Anjouan, and Tobique have some strong advantages. For instance, Kahnawake is known for its strict regulatory standards and legal protections against opportunistic lawsuits, making it a much safer bet. Anjouan, part of the Union of the Comoros, doesn’t require operators to have a physical presence, offering more flexibility and less exposure to local courts. And Tobique in Canada also provides a stable legal environment without needing a physical presence.

These alternatives seem to provide more protection and stability, which is what operators are starting to seek as Curacao’s reputation takes a hit. So, while Curacao might be the easiest licence to get, these new challenges are pushing operators to rethink their options.

I hope that you'll get many replies from some experienced players or people with many insides regarding all this.

Maybe also our article about all the licenses will help you out, though. Please find it here and let us know if it was any helpful to read.

Wishing you nice research.🍀

I’ve worked with the paperwork for Kahnawake and Tobique. from a casino operator’s POV, they’re definitely way better. they offer more legal protection and keep things stable, which makes them a safer bet compared to Curacao...

Interesting findings. I hope it will help the student in his work. 

But why did you quit this job, if I may ask? 🙂

hey mate! Ive seen this question on Reddit as well — check this article https://recentslotreleases.com/latest-news/2024/08/27/139286/still-working-under-risky-curacao-here-are-3-reliable-alternative-licenses/

It is a really interesting topic, indeed. Nice to share it, thank you.