If you’re thinking about expanding your business practices by obtaining a license from a regulated jurisdiction, Curacao might be the best option. This tiny but powerful jurisdiction is an excellent option not only for start-ups but also for established companies that want to save on costs. The Curacao jurisdiction offers all the essentials you need to run an online casino.
But are there any restrictions as to where you can operate? This is a common question that many first-time license applicants ask. We’re glad to help you out and solve your dilemmas. Let’s see if there are any country-based restrictions and whether you should keep some other details in mind.
Curacao Jurisdiction — Basic Info
Curacao might be a small island off the coast of Venezuela, but it has been in the online gambling business since 1996, which makes it the longest-standing jurisdiction globally. The appeal of obtaining a Curacao license comes from the simplicity of the process and its low costs. However, if you don’t want to go through the procedure alone, you can invest in the GBO Curacao license, and they will take care of everything for you.
Whatever you decide, remember that there are plenty of advantages, like low fees, zero tax, an all-in-one license, and more. Another thing that might attract you to this jurisdiction is the lack of market restrictions. Let’s dig deeper into that part.
Country Restrictions: What to Expect
Before you obtain a gambling license, you might want to go through the restricted countries list.
Entirely prohibited
In some countries, online gambling is completely prohibited. For instance, you could not operate an online casino in China, Turkey, North Korea, Japan, UAE, Qatar, Cambodia, Lebanon, Brunei, and Poland. Note that this list might change based on future regulations.
Lack of gambling laws
Some countries do not have any laws on online gambling, which is why it is impossible to operate there legally. One such example is India.
Restricted countries and territories
There are some countries where the Curacao license does not apply. These include Curacao itself, the UK, USA, Aruba, Belize, Singapore, St Maarten, Saba, and Statia.
Other jurisdictions
Take a look at additional key points that you should be aware of before obtaining a Curacao license:
- Some countries allow online gambling only through operators registered in the same country — for example, the USA.
- Most European countries allow online gambling via operators registered in the same country and certain foreign countries.
- Some countries permit online gambling through select foreign countries but do not have any laws within their own countries.
What Else Should You Know?
Aside from the restrictions mentioned above and the Curacao gaming license cost, benefits & process, there are a couple of other things you should be aware of.
Possible limitations on payments
There are certain countries where some payment methods might be restricted even though operating a casino is permitted. Also, you need to remember that not all payment options are popular worldwide, so you might want to check the status of your preferred methods before obtaining a license.
Possible restrictions on advertising
Even though you might receive permission to operate your online casino legally in some countries, you could come across possible advertising restrictions in the same jurisdictions. For example, you can run an online gambling platform in Australia, but you won’t be able to advertise it in every territory. More on that in this article.
Virtually zero constraints on crypto
Although there might be some payment restrictions, you’ll be glad to hear that those rarely apply to cryptocurrencies. Many countries are open to crypto transactions, so it’s not surprising that Bitcoin, Litecoin, Ethereum, and other crypto names are common choices for gambling platforms. However, note that not all countries welcome crypto, so be sure to check ahead of time.
David Prior
David Prior is the editor of Today News, responsible for the overall editorial strategy. He is an NCTJ-qualified journalist with over 20 years’ experience, and is also editor of the award-winning hyperlocal news title Altrincham Today. His LinkedIn profile is here.
