Key Moments:
- The entire supervisory board of the Curaçao Gaming Authority resigned in mid-September, leaving the regulator without oversight.
- Prime Minister Gilmar Pisas has assumed direct supervision of the CGA following the mass resignation, while no board replacements have been announced.
- Recent reforms intended to strengthen gaming regulation in Curaçao have faced repeated setbacks and are now in uncertain territory.
Leadership Vacuum at the Curaçao Gaming Authority
Prime Minister Gilmar Pisas has reportedly taken over direct control of the Curaçao Gaming Authority (CGA) after the entire supervisory board resigned abruptly in mid-September. Commissioners Shelwyn Salesia, Robert Reijnaert, and Ildefons Simon all departed, leaving the newly formed regulator without its top layer of oversight just months after its establishment under a modernized regulatory structure.
According to reports from local media, Prime Minister Pisas immediately convened a meeting with CGA senior management to address concerns in the gaming industry. The meeting was notably attended by government adviser Caryl Monte instead of Finance Minister Javier Silvania, even though the CGA operates under the jurisdiction of the Finance Ministry.
Challenges Facing Gambling Reform
The CGA was launched as the main regulatory body under the Landsverordening op de Kansspelen (LOK), a new gambling law adopted in December 2024, replacing the previous Gaming Control Board. The LOK aimed to revamp the licensing framework, end the master and sub-licence system, and ensure that all gambling operators directly apply for licenses with enhanced oversight.
Despite the official clarification and expansion of CGA’s regulatory powers in July 2025, the reform initiative has repeatedly stalled due to administrative hurdles and persistent delays. Criticisms from both opposition parties and local media have included allegations against the Finance Ministry for inconsistent provisional licensing and exaggerated hiring numbers. However, no official investigation has substantiated these claims.
| Year | Regulatory Milestone / Event |
|---|---|
| December 2024 | LOK law adopted, replacing previous framework |
| July 2025 | CGA’s regulatory role clarified and expanded |
| Mid-September 2025 | Entire CGA supervisory board resigns |
Political Tensions and Uncertainty for Investors
The exact reasons behind the mass resignation remain undefined, though political analysts link it to growing discord within the ruling MFK party and public controversies involving Finance Minister Silvania. Recently, the opposition PAR party urged the Public Prosecution Service and Parliament to take action regarding separate allegations against Minister Silvania and a high-ranking official in the tax office.
The transition from a historically permissive licensing model to one promising increased oversight has attracted outside attention. Curaçao’s gambling industry reportedly generates between €20 million and €30 million annually for public coffers, highlighting its significance to the island’s economy. Yet, the sector’s global reputation has suffered due to past criticisms over anti-money laundering measures and limited player protection. The LOK reforms were presented as a solution to these concerns, aiming to instill credibility and transparency into the regulatory process.
Industry Outlook: Uncertain Path Forward
No official statements have confirmed any direct connection between the political friction or regulatory critiques and the board’s departure. Nonetheless, industry commentators believe heightened scrutiny and internal government strife are likely contributing factors. The CGA remains without its supervisory board as of now, with the Prime Minister overseeing operations while the future direction of Curaçao’s gambling reforms hangs in the balance.
- Author
Daniel Williams
