WILLEMSTAD – A UK resident has accused an online casino connected to Curaçao of illegally offering gambling services in the United Kingdom and has issued a formal legal warning demanding full refunds of deposits.
In a series of emails sent to the casino’s operators, Curaçao’s Public Prosecutor’s Office, the Gaming Control Board (SBGOK), and Curaçao Chronicle, the complainant alleges that WEBMOSAIC/WBMSC FreshBet accepted funds from UK customers without holding a licence from the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) — a violation of the UK Gambling Act 2005.
The individual claims they were led to believe the casino was operating under a valid UK licence, only to later discover that no such licence existed. Under UK law, it is a criminal offence to provide gambling services to UK consumers without proper authorisation.
Claims of Misleading Transactions
The complaint also alleges that the casino and its payment processors disguised the nature of transactions by using false or misleading Merchant Category Codes (MCCs), categorising them as retail or miscellaneous services rather than online gambling. This, the complainant says, may constitute a breach of financial conduct rules and card scheme regulations — an issue that UK regulators and Members of Parliament have previously flagged as a growing concern.
Additionally, they note that banking statements did not include full merchant details for the transactions, further raising transparency concerns.
Formal Demand and Threat of Legal Action
In a “letter before action,” the complainant demands:
Full repayment of all deposits made during the alleged unlicensed period.
Written confirmation that no deductions or chargebacks will be applied.
Full disclosure of the casino’s acquiring banks, payment processors, and MCCs used for the transactions.
They warn that failure to comply will lead to formal complaints with the UK Gambling Commission, Financial Conduct Authority, Financial Ombudsman Service, and Action Fraud, as well as Visa and Mastercard. Legal proceedings in small claims court are also being considered.
Broader Implications for Curaçao’s Gambling Sector
The allegations come as Curaçao continues to face international scrutiny over its online gambling industry. The government has introduced new gaming legislation aimed at tightening oversight and improving compliance with international standards, but complaints from overseas players — particularly in regulated markets such as the UK — remain a reputational risk.
As of publication, there has been no public response from WEBMOSAIC, FreshBet, or Curaçao’s regulatory authorities regarding these claims.
