Netherlands Antilles Gambling Licence

The Netherlands Antilles

The Netherlands Antilles was a group of half a dozen islands in the Caribbean Sea. Three of them, Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao, were together known as the ABC Islands, while the remaining three, Saba, Sint Eustatius and Sint Martin, were known as the SSS Islands. Together, they formed a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. This country was dissolved in 2010, with two of these islands, Curacao and Sint Marten, becoming countries in their own right (Aruba has previously separated from the Netherlands Antilles and become its own country in 1989); the remaining three, Bonaire, Saba and Sint Eustatius, became special municipalities of the Netherlands. These days, the six islands are collectively referred to as the Dutch Caribbean. The legalities of both online and offline gambling vary greatly among the six islands. Of the six, there are two, Aruba and Curacao, that currently hand out gambling licences.

What Is a Netherlands Antilles Gambling Licence?

A Netherlands Antilles Gambling Licence is simply a gambling licence that’s been issued by the Netherlands Antilles. Specifically speaking, these are issued by Aruba or Curacao. There are currently two types available to obtain in the jurisdiction: a master licence and a sub-licence. The former gives the company a formal licence to operate and enables that company to sub-license third-parties; the latter also enables a company to operate legally but doesn’t allow for any sub-licensing. Those looking to acquire either one of the two licences must register with the Netherlands Antilles Chamber of Commerce and state from which of the several islands they intend to operate. The Department of Justice will then review the application, which can take up to six weeks. During the review period, the Department of Justice will look into the company’s history, going over its business practices and general background; all casino software is also tested to ensure it’s completely random and fair. After the reviewing period, if the application has been given the go-ahead, the applicant will be granted a provisional licence. Licence-holders have to pay a monthly fee for their first two years; after the two years are over, a new fee is determined. Whichever island(s) the applicant’s company is located on is/are entitled to claim up to 2% of the company’s net gains. Licence-holders have a number of rules placed on their operations and have to undergo an audit period to ensure all payments are above-board.

Why Choose a Netherlands Antilles Gambling Licence?

Many online casinos have an active licence either from Aruba and Curacao. The reason is that the Netherlands Antilles, as a relatively remote part of the Netherlands, has been able to create many of its own laws. It’s, therefore, had the opportunity to determine its own, less strict stance on forms of gambling, both online and offline. In other words, the islands have had the freedom to establish their own gambling legislation. There are minor differences between the licences offered by the two islands, though generally speaking they’re well-rounded offerings and have as many advantages to them as a licence from the Malta Gaming Authority or the UK Gambling Commission, for example.

Netherlands Antilles Gambling Licence Casinos

There are quite a few online casinos that have a Netherlands Antilles gambling licence. The number is quite high because of the Netherlands Antilles’ good reputation and because of how easy it is to obtain it. Some of the more popular ones include the following:

• Windows Casino
• Slotsville Casino
• Black Diamond Casino
• High Noon Casino
• Lucky Red Casino
• Omni Casino
• Golden Palace Casino

Generally speaking, a Netherlands Antilles gambling licence is quite a good one to have. It offers a good range of services and does an impressive job of ensuring that its licensees are fully compliant with the law and that casinos operate in a way that’s both safe and reliable. Whether it’s from Aruba or Curacao, it offers everything a casino operator or game developer could need to help them establish themselves and start generating revenue. One potential negative to point out is the fact that obtaining a licence is quite easy indeed. Therefore, there’s a slim chance that some less reputable operators may be able to acquire a licence. The vast majority of operators, however, will be perfectly reputable and trustworthy.

You’ll find that quite a large number and variety of online casinos have an active gambling licence from the Netherlands Antilles. This is because the region has been able to determine its own gambling laws and has taken a more lax approach to it than other places. Online gambling isn’t fully legalised and regulated in a large number of countries, which is why operators have to obtain licences from elsewhere a lot of the time, so their operations in particular countries are covered. Licences from Aruba and Curacao, in particular, are fairly popular, with operators choosing these because of the regulation and benefits they offer.