Curaçao’s Finance Minister Charles Cooper has reportedly come to the defence of the Curaçao Gaming Authority (CGA), following conflicting reports that it was under investigation by the Public Prosecution Service.
The gambling regulator also denied the reports categorically, stating that it “has not been approached by the Public Prosecutor and is not aware of any investigation”.
Claims originally circulated as a result of a letter from the Financial Supervision Board (Cft) sent a letter on 27 November to Cooper, which mentioned the investigation into the CGA.
However, according to the Curaçao Chronicle, Cooper criticised the letter as “incorrect, unfounded, and extraordinarily careless”.
The Cft letter stated: “The Cft requests your continued attention to integrity in the collective sector because it has received signals that this topic is being discussed by the CGA and the Tax Collector.
“Integrity within the government and government entities is an essential component of sound financial management and therefore a point of attention for the Cft. The recent media reports about possible integrity concerns within the CGA and the Tax Collector underscore the need for more clarity on this matter.”
The letter continued: “The Cft understands that the Public Prosecution Service is conducting an investigation into the CGA.
“The CGA is responsible for implementing the LOK (National Gambling Ordinance). The Cft is closely monitoring developments and will discuss this with the relevant officials.”
Although dismissed by the Minister of Finance, the conflicting reports will be unwelcome by the CGA as it looks to steady the ship under a new governmental department.
Cooper recently replaced former Finance Minister Javier Silvania, who had ministerial responsibility until his resignation in mid-October.
Silvania resigned as Finance Minister in mid-October amidst allegations of misconduct, corruption, fraud, embezzlement and money laundering related to the issuance of online gambling licenses following a report from forensic investigator Luigi Faneyte filed at the end of last year.
Following Silvania’s resignation, the responsibilities of the CGA have since been passed from the Minister of Finance to the Minister of Justice, Shalten Hato.
Hato reforms
Hato immediately focused on the implementation of the LOK and ensuring the efficiency of the market’s gambling framework, as he reformed the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) process, which had been criticised for having a potential “industry-centric bias embedded in the complaints-handling system.”
Hato’s recent changes have largely eliminated concerns and closed potential loopholes in the ADR process. Hato has prohibited ADR providers from having any affiliate or B2B relationships with operators. Additionally, ADR officials are banned from offering any B2B services to Curaçao operators.
Independent lawyers must now participate in the ADR process. To ensure neutrality and prevent bias, conflicts of interest are prohibited, and the CGA has the power to remove any ADR body at any time.
