Crypto Casino
Torrent Gear
Suriname Online Casino
Suriname is a small country in northeastern South America that, despite its size, has a fully legalized gambling market. Licensed land casinos, lotteries and betting companies operate here, and online gambling is gradually becoming a new direction for the development of the economy and tourism.
History and legislation
Gambling in Suriname has been regulated for decades. The first licenses were issued back in the 1990s, when the government decided to develop tourism through the entertainment industry.
The main regulatory act is the Gaming Act (Wet Hazardspelen), which establishes the rules for licensing, controlling and taxing gambling establishments.
The industry is overseen by the Gaming Board of Suriname (GBS), which operates under the supervision of the Ministry of Justice and Police.
The tasks of the regulator include:- issuing and renewing licenses for casinos and betting companies;
- fair play enforcement;
- software verification and RNG certification;
- combating illegal operators;
- protecting players and preventing addiction.
Unlike many neighbors, Suriname does not prohibit online gambling, but does not yet have a separate law regulating its activities.
Licensing and taxation
Gambling licenses are issued by individual decision of the Ministry of Justice. To obtain permission, the operator must:- register a company in Suriname;
- pass a capital source audit;
- comply with technical safety standards;
- provide payment control and RNG audit.
- 20-25% of gross revenue (GGR) for casinos;
- 10-15% for bookmakers;
- fixed annual license and audit fees.
Revenues from the gambling industry are directed to the state budget, as well as to social and tourism programs.
Land-based casinos and gambling halls
The national capital, Paramaribo, has several licensed casinos aimed at both locals and foreign tourists.
Major operators:- Torarica Casino is one of the oldest casinos in Suriname, located in the hotel of the same name;
- Princess Casino Suriname is part of the Princess Group international network, known for its high level of service and a large selection of games;
- Golden Truly Casino is a popular location with slot machines, roulette and blackjack;
- Royal Casino is a modern complex with live zones and poker tournaments.
These establishments operate under state licenses and are actively promoted as part of the tourism infrastructure.
Online gambling in Suriname
Today, online gambling does not have a separate legal status, but is not prohibited by law.
This creates a "gray area" in which international operators freely provide services to players from Suriname.
The most popular platforms among residents of the country:- Bet365, Betano, 1xBet, Betsson, Codere, Sportingbet - international bookmakers with an interface in English and Dutch;
- Stake, BC. Game, Fairspin, Bitcasino. io, Roobet - crypto-casino with instant payments;
- LeoVegas, 888casino, PlayAmo, Casino Estrella - sites with EU and Curaçao licenses.
According to Internet payment statistics, online gambling became especially popular after 2020, when the pandemic limited access to land-based casinos.
Popular games and player preferences
Players in Suriname choose a variety of gambling formats:- slots and video slots are the dominant genre, especially from providers Pragmatic Play, Microgaming and NetEnt;
- roulette, blackjack and poker are popular in land-based casinos;
- sports betting - mainly football, basketball and boxing;
- lotteries and bingo are traditional forms of entertainment among the older generation.
Mobile gambling is actively growing: more than 70% of players use smartphones to access casinos and betting platforms.
Payment methods
The national currency is the Surinamese dollar (SRD), but most online operators accept US dollars and euros as well.
Main payment methods:- Visa и MasterCard;
- bank transfers (Republic Bank, DSB Bank);
- Skrill, Neteller, AstroPay, MuchBetter e-wallets;
- cryptocurrencies (Bitcoin, Tether, Ethereum) are increasingly used due to stability and anonymity.
Some local operators are introducing payment gateways with the conversion of SRD to USD, which makes deposits and payments more convenient.
Economic importance
Gambling is a prominent part of Suriname's tourism sector.
Casinos generate foreign exchange earnings, create jobs and attract international visitors, especially from Brazil, Guyana and the Caribbean.
The Ministry of Finance estimates that the total gambling industry exceeds $50 million per year, of which up to 30% falls on the online segment.
Revenues from licenses and taxes are used to finance infrastructure and educational projects.
Challenges and challenges
Among the key issues:- lack of separate legislation for online gambling;
- risk of illegal operators without a license;
- the need to strengthen control over payments and protection of players;
- limited integration of modern technologies (KYC, AML, Responsible Gaming).
The government is considering introducing a new internet gambling law that would establish transparent rules and taxation for local and foreign companies.
Development prospects
In the coming years, Suriname has the potential to become a regional hub for online gambling, thanks to stable economic policies and an open approach to licensing.
Expected development steps:- adoption of the Digital Gaming Act for online operators;
- implementation of a national licensing and monitoring platform;
- integration of fintech solutions and crypto payments;
- development of casino tourism in Paramaribo and coastal zones.
Through a combination of liberal legislation, stable currency policy and strategic positioning, Suriname is able to grow into a new hub for legal iGaming in northern South America - with growing opportunities for investors, operators and players.
