Curaçao licence
A Curaçao licence is a gambling licence issued in Curaçao, the Caribbean island that licenses many international online casinos and sportsbooks. It means the operator is regulated offshore, but not by a South African provincial board, so you have no local dispute route.
By Mark SmithChecked What changed in Curaçao
For years, Curaçao licensing worked through a handful of master licence holders who issued sub-licences to operators, which is why older licence numbers end in “/JAZ” (for example 1Win’s 365/JAZ). Curaçao has since reformed the system: the Curaçao Gaming Authority now issues licences directly under a new gambling law, with numbers such as Duelbits’ OGL/2024/1507/0838. The reform added stricter rules on player funds, complaints and anti-money laundering checks.
What it means for you
- Disputes: complaints go to the operator, then to the Curaçao regulator, not to the Western Cape or Gauteng board.
- Banking: some South African banks decline card payments to offshore gambling sites, so these sites lean on crypto and e-wallets.
- Bonuses: offshore sites often offer larger bonuses, sometimes with tougher terms.
- Tools: responsible gambling tools are usually available, but enforcement is weaker than locally.
How we treat it
We review Curaçao-licensed brands, but we label them clearly and score them lower on trust than provincial gambling board licensees. Compare both on our SA-licensed casinos list and in head-to-heads such as 1xBet vs 22Bet. For crypto-first sites, see crypto casino.
Frequently asked questions
Is a Curaçao-licensed casino legal in South Africa?
South African law only licenses online sports betting through provincial boards and does not license online casinos. Curaçao-licensed sites accept South African players, but they operate outside the local system, so you play without South African regulatory protection.
How can I check a Curaçao licence?
Look for the licence number and seal in the site's footer and click through to the regulator's validation page. Newer licences issued by the Curaçao Gaming Authority use numbers starting with OGL, while older ones end in /JAZ.
Which casinos in South Africa have a Curaçao licence?
Many international brands, including 1Win, 1xBet, 22Bet and Duelbits. Each is labelled as offshore on our review pages.
Related terms
Mark has been writing about online gaming since 2007, covering everything from sportsbooks to casino and slot reviews, offering insights for players of all levels.