Curacao Gaming Authority Board Resigns Leaving Oversight Void Amid Government Power Shift

According to local reports, Prime Minister Gilmar Pisas has effectively taken charge of the CGA, despite the regulator being formally under the jurisdiction of Finance Minister Javier Silvania. Following the board’s resignation, Pisas met with CGA management to discuss the state of the gambling industry — notably, without the finance minister present. Government adviser Caryl Monte also attended the meeting.

The shift in authority comes as Minister Silvania faces political turmoil within the MFK party, including internal disputes with senior civil servant Alfonso Trona and accusations of abuse of power and corruption.

CGA’s Governance and Legal Uncertainty

Established earlier this year as the successor to the Gaming Control Board, the CGA was officially placed under the Ministry of Finance. However, it now appears to be operating directly through the prime minister’s office.

Adding to the confusion, the CGA is not yet listed in the Chamber of Commerce register, despite identifying itself as a foundation. While the regulator’s website states that it supervises the gambling sector on behalf of the finance minister, all official communication is now being routed through the prime minister’s cabinet.

Regulator Without a Board

With commissioners Shelwyn Salesia, Robert Reijnaert, and Ildefons Simon stepping down, the CGA currently lacks a supervisory board. The government has yet to announce replacements or confirm when a new council will be appointed.

Impact on Curacao’s Gambling Sector Reform

Curacao’s gambling industry generates over 40 million Netherlands Antillean guilders in annual state revenue. However, reforms proposed by Minister Silvania to modernize licensing and tighten oversight are now uncertain following the board’s resignation and the ongoing power struggle.

The regulatory instability raises fresh concerns about transparency, market integrity, and the future of long-promised reforms aimed at strengthening compliance and international credibility.