The Curaçao Public Prosecutor’s Office Launches Investigation into the CGA

The Curaçao Financial Supervision Board reported in a letter dated November 27 to the newly appointed Minister of Finance, Charles Cooper, that an investigation has been launched involving the local gambling regulator, the CGA.

What Is Known About the Investigation

The letter dated November 27 does not disclose details or the reasons for the CGA review. At this stage, the only official information is the fact that an investigation has begun — no additional materials or conclusions have been provided in the document.

Parallel Reviews and Allegations

Alongside the investigation into the CGA, a special investigative team is examining former tax authority head Alfonso Trona for possible abuse of power related to granting tax benefits.

Additionally, police are reviewing mutual corruption allegations between Trona and former Minister of Finance Javier Silvania, who recently resigned in connection with the scandal. These parallel procedures indicate that the investigation involves several interconnected government bodies.

Regulator’s Recommendations and Requirements

In the letter, the Financial Supervision Board urged the new Minister of Finance to pay close attention to compliance with integrity and transparency standards within both the CGA and the tax authority. The letter emphasizes the need for oversight of procedures and internal rules to prevent potential violations.

Questions About Budget Revenues

Beyond oversight concerns, the regulator also requested a detailed breakdown of revenue from licensing fees paid by online operators. According to the reports, $30 million was paid into the budget for Q1–Q3 2025, despite the initial projection of $17 million.

The available reporting for the three quarters does not provide clear details on how much revenue came from online operators versus land-based ones. The regulator is requesting this breakdown to understand why actual revenues exceeded planned figures and to rule out possible accounting discrepancies.

What’s Next

As the investigation and reviews continue, no official conclusions have yet been released. The new Minister of Finance has been tasked with overseeing the next steps and ensuring transparency in the work of the agencies under review if necessary.