Alexandra van Hoeffelen, the Dutch Secretary of State for Royal Relations and Digitalization, has voiced criticism against the Curacao government regarding the introduction of a new law on offshore gambling without proper procedure. Van Hoeffelen expressed discontent over the presentation of the draft LOK to parliament before the Temporary Workers Organization (TWO) had the opportunity to review it, deeming it unacceptable.
The controversy arose when Curacao's Ministry of Finance submitted a proposal in December 2023 to amend regulations governing offshore gambling on the island. TWO, established by the Dutch government to implement the 2020 National Package of Bills, plays a key role in overseeing structural reforms in Curacao, including efforts to clean up the gambling sector.
Van Hoeffelen underscored the importance of coordinated efforts between Curacao and Dutch authorities, highlighting her visit to the island, which revealed a shared commitment to implementing the National Package. However, she cautioned against hastily implementing major reforms without prior consultation, emphasizing the irreversible nature of such decisions once enacted.
