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The investigation was confirmed by Cft chairperson Lidewijde Ongering in a formal letter dated 27 November 2025. “Cft understands that the Public Prosecution Service is conducting an investigation into the CGA,” the letter stated. “The CGA is responsible for implementing the LOK. The Cft is closely monitoring developments and will discuss these matters with the relevant officials.”
Local news outlet Antilliaans Dagblad reported that the Criminal Investigation Cooperation Team (RMT) has been assigned to the investigation, which includes investigators from Curaçao, its surrounding islands, and the Netherlands.
According to island sources, speculation about a potential investigation has circulated for several months, though official confirmation has only now emerged. The Cft did not specify the reasons behind the probe, and the CGA has reportedly not been formally approached by the public prosecutor.
Integrity Concerns at Government Entities
The letter from the Cft addressed broader concerns about governance within Curaçao’s public institutions. “Integrity within the government and government entities is an essential component of sound financial management and therefore a priority for the Cft,” the letter stated.
“Recent media reports on potential integrity concerns within the CGA and the Tax Collector underscore the need for further clarity on this matter.”
Regulatory Responsibility Shifts to Ministry of Justice
The investigation comes after responsibility for gambling regulation transferred to the Ministry of Justice from former finance minister Javier Silvania, who resigned in mid-October during a corruption scandal.
The CGA has been tasked with implementing the National Ordinance on Games of Chance (LOK), the comprehensive reform of Curaçao’s offshore gaming sector. The jurisdiction remains one of the world’s largest online gambling licensing hubs.
Silvania had reportedly sought to dismiss several civil servants but failed to secure support from fellow ministers, including Alfonso Trona, head of the Tax Receiver’s Office. The situation escalated after a leaked audio recording of an argument between the two officials circulated publicly, in which both allegedly threatened to expose corruption allegations against each other.
History of Regulatory Scrutiny
This is not the first time Curaçao’s gambling oversight bodies have faced allegations of misconduct. Opposition politician and academic Dr. Luigi Faneyte filed a 400-page report in 2024 containing serious allegations against Silvania and senior figures involved in the regulatory reform process.
The investigation raises questions about the implementation of the LOK, which was designed to modernize Curaçao’s gaming framework and replace the controversial master license system with a more transparent regulatory structure.
Source: Curaçao and Sint Maarten Financial Supervision Board.
Official letter available here.
