Launching a crypto casino in 2026: licensing, stablecoins and banking
Curaçao's new licensing regime, supplier registration and stablecoin rules have changed what it takes to launch a crypto casino. A practical guide from someone who launched two casinos in 2026.
By Andrew Lindley · · 3 min read
In 2026 I built and launched two online casinos from scratch, one facing worldwide markets and one facing the US. Crypto was part of the payments and treasury design from day one. The rules around crypto casinos have changed a lot in the past two years, and the days of a quick, cheap sublicence are over.
Here is what matters if you are planning a launch now.
1. Curaçao is now a real regulator
Curaçao's National Ordinance on Games of Chance (known as the LOK) replaced the old master-licence and sublicence system, with the Curaçao Gaming Authority (CGA) licensing operators directly.
Two points to note for 2026:
- Supplier rules take full effect on 24 December 2026. That ends the two-year transition. Licensed operators may not deal with unregistered suppliers, and the CGA keeps a public register of approved ones. The covered services include game and RNG providers, live studios, lottery providers, sportsbook software and aggregation platforms (Curaçao Chronicle).
- There is a crypto framework for licensees. The CGA is phasing it in over 12 months, covering player deposits, wagering, withdrawals and treasury management.
If you are building now, check every supplier's registration status before you sign.
2. Stablecoins are where the volume goes
Most crypto casino deposits now move in dollar stablecoins rather than volatile coins. That simplifies treasury, but it brings payment regulation into play.
The US GENIUS Act, signed in 2025, created a federal framework for payment stablecoin issuers, covering reserves, licensing and AML and sanctions screening. It regulates issuers, not casinos. In practice, though, banks and payment partners increasingly expect platforms to show where stablecoin deposits came from and to produce screening records on request (WalletConnect).
That means wallet screening and a clear audit trail are not optional, even where your licence does not explicitly require them.
3. Banking still decides whether you survive
Crypto does not remove the need for traditional banking. You still need fiat accounts for salaries, suppliers, tax and many players. Banks will look at your licence, your AML controls, and how you separate player funds from operating funds.
Design your treasury so it is easy to explain. Segregated vaults, documented policies and a full transaction history make bank onboarding much easier.
4. Security is part of the business plan
Hot wallets are where casinos get robbed. In September 2023, attackers took around US$41m from Stake's hot wallets, and the FBI attributed the theft to North Korea's Lazarus Group (SecurityWeek). I wrote about lessons from crypto casino hacks separately.
My launch checklist
- Choose the licence for your target markets, then confirm the crypto rules under it.
- Register or check every supplier against the regulator's requirements.
- Design treasury before you choose a wallet provider: deposit, hot and treasury vaults, policies and approval rules.
- Build wallet screening and record-keeping into the payment flow.
- Line up fiat banking early. It takes longer than everything else.
- Hire the team you will hand over to, and train them on the controls before launch.
I implemented Fireblocks for one of this year's launches. You can read how I design casino treasury on Fireblocks, or see my Fireblocks services. If you are planning a launch, get in touch.
Sources
Gambling industry business adviser. Holds a solicitor's practising certificate but does not give legal advice through this business. Co-founder of Lottoland and Lot.to, former CEO of Sportech plc and former General Counsel of the Tote. More about Andrew