WILLEMSTAD – Online betting operator Parimatch has been ordered to return nearly $20,000 after unlawfully confiscating a player’s balance, in a ruling that underscores Curaçao’s responsibility to protect consumers in the gaming sector.
In a judgment issued by the Court of First Instance on March 13, 2023—but only published on September 1, 2025—the court found that Parimatch operator Suncast Furore N.V. and former master licence holder Cyberluck Curaçao N.V. must jointly pay $19,630 to the Foundation for the Advocation of Victims of Online Gambling (SBGOK). The foundation had taken over the claim on behalf of Belarusian player Anatoli Kasilo, whose account was frozen in June 2021.
Invalid terms and insufficient evidence
Parimatch accused Kasilo of “multi-accounting” in violation of its terms and conditions. However, the court determined that the operator’s rules were invalid, as they had not been properly disclosed to players, and that there was no evidence of wrongdoing.
The casino’s key argument was that Kasilo had used multiple IP addresses. SBGOK countered this by explaining that Kasilo’s internet provider in Belarus used dynamic IP addresses, a common practice unrelated to fraud. The court sided with the foundation, concluding that the company had neither proven the violation nor attempted to do so in time.
Cyberluck also held liable
The ruling carries broader implications for Curaçao’s gambling oversight. Although Cyberluck had issued a sub-licence to Suncast Furore, the court held that the master licence holder remained responsible for compliance.
“Cyberluck cannot legally avoid its obligations under the permit conditions by contractually assigning itself the role of supervisor of the ‘intermediate company’,” the judge stated, adding that Curaçao’s licensing framework is designed to safeguard consumer protection and protect the jurisdiction’s international reputation.
The court applied strict liability, finding that the operations of Parimatch and Cyberluck were sufficiently interconnected to justify holding both accountable. It further ruled that Parimatch’s reference to Cyberluck’s licence on its website created legitimate public expectations of regulatory oversight.
Part of broader reforms
The case comes at a critical moment for Curaçao’s online gambling industry, which is undergoing sweeping changes under the new National Ordinance for Games of Chance (LOK). The reforms abolished the old master licence system in 2024, shifting oversight to the newly established Curaçao Gaming Authority (CGA).
Consumer advocates say the ruling highlights the importance of clear accountability and enforcement, as Curaçao works to strengthen its regulatory reputation in international markets.
