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Is Gambling Legal in Suriname?

Partially Regulated
Land-based gambling is regulated with a formal licensing process; online gambling is unregulated but not prohibited.
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    Key Information Highlights Legislation Timeline Requirements Sources

    Key Information

    Last Update 2025
    Regulatory Authority Suriname Gaming Board
    License Cost Varies

    Regulation by Activity Type

    Casinos Regulated
    Online Casinos Regulated
    Betting Regulated
    Online Betting Unregulated
    Lotteries Regulated
    Poker Regulated

    Highlights

    • Land-based gambling is legal and regulated in Suriname, with a structured licensing process for casinos.
    • The minimum legal age for gambling in Suriname is 18 years, strictly enforced by licensed operators.
    • Online gambling is largely unregulated; there is no specific legal framework or licensing for most online operators.
    • Suribet is the only operator with a local license to provide online gambling and lottery services in Suriname.
    • Foreign online gambling sites are accessible and not prohibited, as there are no laws against playing at international sites.
    • The Gaming Board, established in 2009, oversees licensing and supervision of land-based gambling activities.
    • Taxation and regulatory controls primarily target land-based casinos; online gambling remains outside formal tax and regulatory regimes.
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      Legislation

      Primary Legislation

      The legal framework governing gambling in Suriname is primarily established by several key legislative acts. The foundational law is the Gambling Act of 1962, which initially regulated the operation of gambling activities in the country and set the minimum age for participation. In 1996, the gambling sector was further liberalized, allowing both locals and tourists to participate in gambling activities. Subsequent legal updates, particularly in 2004 and 2009, introduced stricter controls and amendments to the existing laws. The Supervision and Control Act of 2009 serves as an important piece of legislation, providing additional regulatory provisions and clarifications for the sector. It is important to note that, as of now, there are no specific laws regulating online gambling in Suriname; the legal framework is primarily focused on land-based gambling establishments.

      Regulatory Authority

      Oversight and enforcement of gambling laws in Suriname are the responsibility of the national Gaming Board, established in 2009. The Gaming Board is tasked with supervising the gambling industry, ensuring compliance with the relevant legislation, and issuing licenses for land-based gambling operations. The Board also monitors the overall integrity and legality of gambling activities within the country.
      • Supervision of land-based gambling operations
      • Enforcement of gambling legislation and regulatory compliance
      • Issuance and monitoring of gambling licenses for physical establishments
      • Oversight of responsible gambling measures as required by law

      License Types

      Types of Gambling Licenses in Suriname

      • Land-Based Casino Licenses: Suriname operates a structured licensing system for land-based casinos. These licenses are issued by the national Gaming Board and are required for any entity wishing to operate a physical casino within the country.
      • Betting Shop and Lottery Licenses: Separate licenses are available for betting shops and lottery ticket stands. These are also regulated by the Gaming Board.
      • Online Gambling Licenses: Currently, Suriname does not have a formal licensing process for online gambling. The only exception is Suribet, which holds a local license to offer online betting, lotto games, and scratch cards. No clear application process exists for other entities seeking online gambling licenses at this time.

      Application Process for Land-Based Casino Licenses

      • Regulatory Authority: All land-based gambling licenses are issued and overseen by the Suriname Gaming Board.
      • Application Submission: Prospective operators must submit a comprehensive application to the Gaming Board, including details about ownership, business plans, and intended operations.
      • Background Checks: The Gaming Board conducts thorough background checks on applicants, including financial due diligence and assessment of the operator’s integrity and experience in the gambling sector.
      • Facility Inspection: The proposed casino premises are subject to inspection to ensure compliance with safety and operational standards.
      • Approval Timeline: The application review process can take several months, depending on the completeness of the submission and the complexity of the proposed operation.

      Duration and Renewal of Licenses

      • License Duration: Land-based casino licenses are typically issued for a fixed term, often ranging from one to several years.
      • Renewal Conditions: License renewal is contingent upon continued compliance with regulatory requirements and the successful completion of periodic reviews by the Gaming Board.
      • Eligibility for Renewal: Operators must demonstrate ongoing financial stability, adherence to operational standards, and a clean record of regulatory compliance to qualify for renewal.

      Licensing Costs and Financial Requirements

      • Application Fees: Applicants are required to pay a non-refundable application fee upon submission. The exact amount is determined by the Gaming Board and may vary depending on the type and scale of the operation.
      • Annual License Fees: Licensed operators must pay annual fees to maintain their licenses. These fees are set by the Gaming Board and are subject to periodic review.
      • Financial Guarantees: Applicants may be required to provide proof of sufficient capital or financial guarantees to ensure the viability and integrity of their operations.

      Key Requirements for Obtaining and Maintaining a License

      • Minimum Age Compliance: Licensed operators must enforce the minimum gambling age of 18 years and implement effective age verification procedures.
      • Operational Standards: Casinos and betting shops must adhere to strict operational, security, and customer protection standards as set by the Gaming Board.
      • Reporting Obligations: Licensees are required to submit regular reports on their activities, financial performance, and compliance with regulatory requirements.
      • Inspections and Audits: The Gaming Board conducts regular inspections and audits to ensure ongoing compliance. Failure to meet regulatory standards can result in suspension or revocation of the license.

      Summary Table: Land-Based Gambling Licensing in Suriname

      License Type Regulatory Authority Application Fee Annual Fee Duration Renewal Key Requirements
      Casino Gaming Board Set by Board Set by Board 1–several years Subject to review Age checks, standards, reporting
      Betting Shop/Lottery Gaming Board Set by Board Set by Board 1–several years Subject to review Age checks, standards, reporting
      Online Gambling Not formally regulated Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Only Suribet holds a local license

      Gambling Tax

      Tax Rates for Gambling Operators in Suriname

      Suriname’s taxation system for gambling operators is primarily structured around land-based casino operations, as online gambling remains largely unregulated except for the single licensed operator, Suribet. The following table summarizes the available information on tax rates for different types of gambling operations:
      Type of Gambling Operation Tax Rate Basis of Taxation
      Land-based Casinos Specific rates not publicly disclosed; generally based on gross gaming revenue (GGR) Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR)
      Online Gambling (Suribet only) Details not officially published Unspecified
      Sports Betting, Lottery, Other Not specified; presumed to follow similar structure as casinos if regulated Unspecified

      Basis for Taxation

      • Land-based casino operators are generally taxed on their gross gaming revenue (GGR), which is the difference between the amount wagered by players and the amount paid out as winnings.
      • Other forms of gambling, such as sports betting and lottery, are not subject to specific published tax rates, and their taxation basis is unclear due to the lack of comprehensive regulation.

      Tax Reporting and Payment Requirements

      • Licensed land-based casinos are required to maintain detailed records of their gaming activities and revenues.
      • Operators must submit regular tax returns and financial statements to the relevant Surinamese tax authorities, typically on a monthly or quarterly basis, depending on the specific license conditions.
      • Payments of gambling taxes are generally due at the time of filing these returns, with penalties for late or inaccurate submissions.
      • For the online operator Suribet, specific reporting and payment procedures are not publicly disclosed, but it is presumed that similar requirements apply as for land-based operators.

      Tax Incentives, Exemptions, and Special Provisions

      • No publicly available information indicates the existence of tax incentives, exemptions, or special provisions for gambling operators in Suriname.
      • All licensed operators are expected to comply with the standard tax regime as set by the Surinamese authorities.
      In summary, Suriname’s gambling tax system is primarily focused on land-based casinos, with taxation generally based on gross gaming revenue. The exact rates and detailed procedures are not publicly disclosed. Online gambling is largely unregulated except for one licensed operator, and there is no evidence of tax incentives or exemptions for operators.

      Prohibited Individuals

      Age Restrictions

      The legal gambling age in Suriname is 18 years. All players must be at least 18 years old to participate in any form of gambling activity, whether at land-based venues or online platforms. This age restriction applies uniformly across all gambling verticals including casino games, sports betting, and lottery products.

      Identification Requirements

      While Suriname lacks comprehensive online gambling regulations, land-based casinos implement identification verification procedures. Players must present valid identification documents before entering gambling establishments or when collecting significant winnings. For the limited regulated online gambling options (such as Suribet), basic verification measures exist, though they are not as stringent as in more regulated markets.

      Prohibited Gambling Activities

      • There are no explicitly prohibited forms of gambling in Suriname, as the country has a permissive approach to gambling activities
      • While land-based gambling is regulated under provisions ratified in 2004, online gambling remains largely unregulated rather than explicitly prohibited
      • The lack of regulation does not equate to prohibition, as no cases of prosecution for online gambling have been registered

      Game Restrictions

      Suriname does not impose specific game restrictions or limitations on the types of games that can be offered. Both traditional casino games and sports betting are permitted in land-based venues. The absence of comprehensive online gambling regulations means there are no formal restrictions on game types that can be offered by international operators serving Surinamese players.

      Advertising and Marketing Limitations

      Suriname has not established specific advertising and marketing restrictions for gambling services. The lack of comprehensive regulation in the online gambling sector means there are no formal limitations on how gambling products can be advertised to Surinamese residents. This regulatory gap extends to areas typically covered in more regulated markets, such as watershed hours for gambling advertisements, content restrictions, or mandatory warning messages.

      Responsible Gambling Requirements

      Suriname has minimal formalized responsible gambling requirements. The country's gambling regulatory framework does not include comprehensive provisions for player protection measures that are common in more developed gambling jurisdictions. Land-based casinos may implement basic responsible gambling practices, but these are not extensively mandated by regulatory authorities.

      Player Protection Measures

      • Self-exclusion programs are not formally required by Surinamese regulations
      • Deposit limits, time-out features, and reality checks are not mandated by law
      • Problem gambling support services are limited compared to more regulated markets
      • Player funds protection and segregation requirements are not clearly defined in the regulatory framework

      Geographic Restrictions

      Land-based gambling venues in Suriname are concentrated primarily in the capital city of Paramaribo, which houses approximately half of the country's population and hosts the majority of its 13 casinos. There are no specific zoning restrictions or buffer zones documented in the regulatory framework, though the practical concentration of venues in the capital creates a de facto geographic limitation for physical access to gambling facilities for residents in more remote areas.

      Enforcement Mechanisms

      The enforcement of the limited gambling restrictions in Suriname falls under the purview of the Gaming Board established in 2009. However, enforcement activities appear to focus primarily on land-based operations rather than online gambling. The lack of comprehensive online gambling regulations results in minimal enforcement actions against international operators serving Surinamese players or against residents accessing these services.
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        Timeline

        Year/Date Event
        1962 First gambling law introduced, setting the legal gambling age at 18 and initially restricting gambling to tourists only.
        1996 Comprehensive Gambling Act enacted, legalizing all forms of gambling and allowing locals to participate; this led to a rise in casino establishments.
        2004 Gambling laws tightened, introducing stricter regulations for the industry, particularly for land-based operations.
        2009 Suriname Gaming Board established to oversee the licensing and regulation of land-based casinos; the Supervision and Control Act introduced minor amendments to existing laws.
        2010s Suribet becomes the first and only locally licensed operator to provide online gambling services, as online gambling remains largely unregulated otherwise.

        Requirements

        Software Certification and Technical Standards

        • There are currently no specific software certification or technical standards requirements for online gambling operators in Suriname, as the country does not have a regulatory framework governing online gambling platforms.
        • For land-based casinos, technical requirements may exist under general casino licensing, but these are not codified for online operations.
        • The only locally licensed online operator, Suribet, is not subject to published technical software certification standards.

        Data Protection, Privacy Measures, and Server Location

        • There are no explicit data protection or privacy measures mandated specifically for gambling operators in Suriname’s online sector.
        • No legal requirements exist regarding the physical location of gambling servers for online operators, as online gambling is largely unregulated.
        • Operators are expected to follow general data protection laws applicable to all businesses in Suriname, but there are no sector-specific rules for gambling.

        Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Know Your Customer (KYC) Procedures

        • There are no detailed, gambling-specific AML or KYC procedures required for online gambling operators under Suriname law.
        • Land-based casinos may be subject to general AML obligations under national law, but these do not extend to online gambling operators due to the lack of regulation.
        • Operators are not required by law to implement specific customer identity verification or transaction monitoring systems for online gambling.

        Financial Reporting, Auditing Standards, and Record-Keeping

        • No technical or operational requirements for financial reporting or independent auditing are imposed on online gambling operators in Suriname.
        • There are no sector-specific record-keeping obligations for online gambling transactions or player activity.
        • Land-based casinos may be required to maintain financial records as part of their general business operations, but these standards are not codified for online operators.

        Technical Implementation Requirements for Responsible Gambling Tools

        • There are no mandated technical requirements for the implementation of responsible gambling tools (such as self-exclusion, deposit limits, or reality checks) for online gambling operators in Suriname.
        • Responsible gambling measures, if present, are implemented at the discretion of the operator and are not enforced by any regulatory authority for online gambling.

        Sources

        Legislation Resources

        Contact Information

        • Suriname Gaming Board Address: J.A. Pengelstraat 123, Paramaribo, Suriname Phone: +597 420-222 Email: info@gamingboard.sr
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          Important Information Notice

          Gambling regulations are subject to change. The information provided on this page was accurate at the time of publication, but may not reflect the current regulatory landscape. Always consult official sources for the most up-to-date information before making any gambling-related decisions.

          Last updated: 22 April 2025