Bingo and street gambling (Suriname)

Shortly

After updating the legislation in 2023-2024. Suriname separates permitted organized draws (including charity/commercial lotteries or bingo) and prohibited unauthorized games (including "street" points without a license). The basic rules are set by Wet Hazardspelen (S.B. 2023 No. 135) and Loterijwet (S.B. 2023 No. 136), with details in Loterijbesluit (S.B. 2024 No. 138) and the Gaming Control Board supervision unit.

What is "bingo" and where is its place in the legal framework

Legally, bingo refers to case games with circulation/random determination of winnings. In international practice, bingo usually appears in the group "charitable/low-tech gaming" (charity draws, raffle, bingo), which is also taken into account in AML assessments of the sector. In Suriname, such activities fall under Loterijwet (rules for lottery/circulation products and permits) and/or under the general gambling law (Wet Hazardspelen) if the format goes beyond lotteries.

Permits and who issues

Loterijwet (2023) sets the order of permits for lottery products; Loterijbesluit (2024) clarifies the competencies: permits can be issued by the President and the District Commissioner - depending on the scale and type of product.

Execution Supervision - Specialized Institute (Gaming Control Board/Toezicht en Controle Kansspelen) and related Wet Toezicht en Controle Kansspelen norms.

Where players participate

Circulation products and games close to "bingo logic" are available from official operators. For example, the Surinaamse Lotto website presents the Lotto, Lotto Plus, Tek 2, Double Tek 2, Payday, Match 3, High 5 and others lines, with rules, statistics and a list of points of sale/" Verkooppunten. "

'Street gambling ': What it is and why the risk

"Street" usually refers to informal games (cards/dice/handheld instant draws) in public places, without permission and without control over age, payouts, AML and responsible play. In the context of Wet Hazardspelen (2023), the operation of games of chance without a proper license is prohibited, which makes such points a violation - with risks for organizers and players (confiscation, lack of guarantee of payment, fraud).

How the law distinguishes between 'organised bingo' and 'street game'

Organized bingo/circulation product: there is a permit, prescribed rules, public information about draws/winnings, CCP/age barriers, tax and AML contours. Base - Loterijwet 2023 and by-laws 2024

Street game: no permission, no transparency, no guarantees for prizes and checks. The base of the ban is Wet Hazardspelen 2023.

Participation practice: player tips

1. Check the status of the organizer: the presence of permission/reference to legal rules. See official GCBS sources ("Wet- en Regelgeving" section).

2. Use official channels: Surinaamse Lotto website and points of sale - games, rules, results and Verkooppunten are published there.

3. Age and KYC: the organizer is obliged to restrict access to minors and comply with identification - this is a requirement of the 2023-2024 framework.

What to avoid

"Street" draws without forms, checks and contacts of the organizer.

Games "on bail "/" from hand" with the promise of instant payment without documents.

Transfer of personal data and large sums to unknown organizers.

To the organizers: how to legally conduct a bingo/circulation product

1. Select a legal regime (lottery/circulation product) and apply for a Loterijwet permit; consider the distribution of competencies (President/District).

2. Write down the rules: draw format, odds/payments, procedure for publishing results, issuing prizes, returns.

3. Observe AML/KYC and age restrictions (18 +/21 + - according to the type of game and the conditions of permission), store logs, prepare reports to the regulator.

4. Communication: site/poster with permission number, date and time of the drawing, support channels.

Safety and responsible play

Participate only with authorized operators and keep checks/electronic confirmations.

Set limits on the amount and frequency of participation; lotteries/bingo is entertainment, not an income tool.

Avoid "street" points - there is no regulatory protection and guarantees of payments.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is it legal to do "home bingo" to raise funds?

Permission is required for Loterijwet (charity/circulation product format). Unauthorized fees "from tickets" - the risk of violation. Check the requirements with the competent authorities.

Where to see the results of the draws?

On the operator's official resources: Surinaamse Lotto has sections with games, statistics and past runs.

Who controls the industry?

Supervision is conducted by the Gaming Control Board; the list of relevant laws is published in the "Wet- en Regelgeving" section.

In Suriname, bingo is a legal circulation format subject to permission and compliance with the rules (Loterijwet 2023 + Loterijbesluit 2024), and "street gambling" without a license is prohibited (Wet Hazardspelen 2023). Players should choose official channels and check the legality of the organizer; organizers - to issue permits and follow the requirements of supervision and responsible play.