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Entire Curaçao Gaming Authority Board Resigns as Prime Minister Takes Control

The Curaçao Gaming Authority (CGA) has confirmed that its entire Supervisory Board stepped down in mid-September, marking one of the biggest political shakeups in the island’s gambling regulatory system since the introduction of the new LOK framework.

According to official statements, the resignation of all three commissioners — Shelwyn Salesia, Robert Reijnaert, and Ildefons Simon — will not affect the daily operations of the regulator or the rollout of the National Ordinance on Games of Chance (LOK). The CGA said licensing, supervision, and compliance work continue “as normal.”

However, the departures come amid a wider power struggle within Curaçao’s government. Oversight of the regulator has been transferred from the Ministry of Finance — previously led by Javier Silvania — to the Ministry of Justice. But according to several reports, Prime Minister Gilmar Pisas has assumed de facto control of the CGA, with all major communications now routed through his office.

The restructuring follows weeks of internal conflict within the government. Minister Silvania, who was previously responsible for gaming oversight, was sidelined after a leaked audio recording exposed a heated argument between him and the head of the island’s tax authority. Both men accused each other of corruption, sparking calls from the opposition PAR Party for a full criminal investigation.

Local media outlets report that the CGA remains in an uncertain position — the regulator has yet to register with Curaçao’s Chamber of Commerce, despite operating as a public foundation since its creation. Sources close to the regulator described the current situation as “chaotic,” citing unclear reporting lines and stalled governance.

Despite these challenges, the CGA maintains that the implementation of the LOK system remains on schedule. The reform — which replaces the old master licence and sub-licence model with a direct licensing framework — is entering its final phase, with the transitional period ending on 15 October 2025.

The Curaçao government has already begun the process of appointing a new board. For now, operations are being managed by the CGA’s executive team under temporary supervision from the Prime Minister’s office.

Industry observers warn that political instability could affect investor confidence at a critical time, as Curaçao seeks to restore its credibility and position itself as a compliant, transparent iGaming hub under the new regime.

Published October 17, 2025 by Brian Oiriga
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