WILLEMSTAD — The Joint Court of Justice of Aruba, Curaçao, Sint Maarten, and the BES islands has ruled in favor of Dutch journalist Nardy Cramm, rejecting demands for rectification made by a group of plaintiffs tied to Curaçao’s online gambling sector. The ruling, issued on May 20, 2025, reaffirms the court’s earlier decisions that Cramm’s public statements regarding alleged illegal gambling practices fall within the protection of freedom of expression, especially in the context of journalism.
The case was brought by Angelique Snel-Guttenberg, Gouloud Hammoud, and several Curaçao-based companies, including Cyberluck Curaçao N.V., a well-known master license holder for online gambling. The plaintiffs claimed that Cramm made false and damaging accusations, particularly regarding the legality of so-called “sublicenses” issued under Cyberluck’s gambling license.
However, the court found that Cramm’s critical remarks—describing sublicensing as “illegal” and highlighting governance gaps—are protected as journalistic opinion and concern matters of public interest. The judgment emphasized that her reporting contributes to public debate about Curaçao’s gambling regulations and financial transparency.
Cramm, who describes herself as a “Kingdom watchdog,” has long been outspoken against what she sees as corruption and lack of oversight in Curaçao’s gambling industry. She argues that license holders issue sublicenses to hundreds of online casinos without adequate control or government benefit, creating a legal gray area with global implications.
During the proceedings, the plaintiffs claimed that the publications harmed their reputations and were factually incorrect. But the court ruled that journalists must be afforded leeway to express strong, even provocative opinions, especially when addressing systemic issues that affect public interest.
In a parallel appeal, Cramm had also requested access to certain licensing documents under article 843a of the civil code. That request was denied, with the court finding that she lacked a current and urgent legal interest in the documents, particularly since her freedom of expression had already been upheld.
The judgment also highlights that Cyberluck is currently in bankruptcy proceedings, but the court clarified that the claims regarding rectification are personal in nature and do not fall under the authority of the bankruptcy trustee.
In conclusion, the court upheld the October 2022 ruling that had similarly rejected demands for retraction, and ordered that each party cover its own legal costs. The verdict reinforces previous findings that freedom of expression outweighs reputational concerns in cases involving public scrutiny and governance of the gambling industry.
This case underscores ongoing tensions between investigative journalism and the opaque online gaming industry operating under Curaçao’s licensing regime—an issue that continues to draw attention both locally and internationally.
