Comparison with neighbors (Guyana, Brazil) - Suriname

1) In short: where Suriname stands on the map of the region

Suriname. After the reforms of 2023, the basic framework for gambling (Wet Hazardspelen) was updated: licensing of online casinos is directly provided for with approval at the level of the President and with the participation of supervision; emphasis on 21 +, near real-time control, RG tools and self-exclusion registry. This creates the basis for the "white" launch of the online segment and the modernization of offline.

Guyana. Historically, the Gambling Prevention Act operates with exceptions; for casinos - separate norms: you need a license for the premises and for the operator, while a number of restrictions (for example, admission of only hotel guests/employees; quota of licenses "no more than three per administrative region"). In practice, this forms a small offline market "tied to resources."

Brazil. At the end of 2023, federal law No. 14. 790/2023 settled fixed-odds rates (sports betting) and laid down a roadmap for licensing, payments, advertising and taxation; in 2024, by-laws of the Ministry of Finance on payment transactions and authorizations were passed. Online casinos at the federal level have not yet been legalized, but betting is receiving a full-fledged regime.

2) Legal regime: online and offline

3) Licensing, supervision, compliance

Suriname. Online casino decisions - presidential level, taking into account the conclusions of the supervisory institution; the law requires near real-time checkbases, an exception registry, and clear KYC/AML procedures. This is a plus for transparency and banking trust.

Guyana. Dual-circuit licensing (premises + operator), narrow geography (at hotels) and restrictions on visitor access are a model of a "boutique" offline market with a low capacity.

Brazil. The Ministry of Finance, through by-laws, builds a regime of payments, authorizations and compliance for licensed sportsbook operators: a filter by payment providers, transition dates, advertising/taxation rules and transaction control.

4) Payments and UX (what the player will see)

Suriname: a hybrid of cards and local e-wallets, a course for seamless SRD check-out and quick enrollment/withdrawal; the online sector benefits from clear AML/KYC and localization (NL/EN).

Guyana: offline - ticket office and hotel cards; online UX is limited by the lack of an integral mode.

Brazil: for bet operators - strict payment rules (including bans for unauthorized sites), which increases "white" traffic and UX quality.

5) Advertising and responsible play (RG)

Suriname already lays down the RG core in the law (register of exceptions, interventions, logging sessions). This facilitates the introduction of limits, cool-off, self-exclusion at the platform level.

Guyana relies on traditional offline practices to control access and opening times of halls.

Brazil within 14. 790/2023 and by-laws develop rules for advertising, age restrictions and social responsibility for betting (fines, creative requirements, sponsorship).

6) Tourism and offline economy

Suriname can offer a bunch of "casino + rivers/jungle + city evenings" using a clear legal outline for offline and prospects for regulated online (live games, payments, RG).

Guyana is a niche "resort" offline with a limited number of licenses and access "for hotel guests," which keeps the market compact.

Brazil is a giant domestic demand; the dash in sportbetting will strengthen MKT activity and partnerships, creating cross effects for sports and events.

7) "Window of Opportunity" for Suriname (with neighbors in the background)

1. Online B2C under local license. While Brazil concentrates on betting and Guyana on hotel offline, Suriname could accelerate by-laws and open up a controlled online casino market with clear payment and RG requirements.

2. Payment "friendliness." Local e-wallets/QR + cards + transparent SRD conversion rules - direct online and tourist conversion boost.

3. Marketing with responsibility. Rigid RG framework (registry, limits) + advertising code = bank/media trust and cross-promotional opportunity with ecotourism and culture.

8) Risks and caveats

Normative "lag." If the subregulation is delayed, the "gray" traffic will remain with offshore sites (as was previously observed in the region).

Compliance costs. Near real-time control and RG integration require investment in the IT core - they must be embedded in the unit economy.

Brazilian competitive pressure. As the licensed sportsbook launches, regional marketing and the struggle for payment rails/affiliates will intensify there.

9) What it means for business

Offline operators of Suriname: prepare processes for enhanced RG/logging and transparent payments; look towards live channels, cross-packages with hotels and tours.

Online brands: when bylaws appear - calculate a local license and SRD check-out; build a KYC/AML stack "like in Brazil for betting" to simplify banking interaction.

Affiliates and media: accurate advertising (age filters, RG disclaimers), localization of NL/EN content, focus on responsible offers.

10) Withdrawal

• in Suriname, a window for an early regulated online launch focusing on RG/AML and local payments;
• in Guyana - niche offline projects;
• in Brazil - scale in betting, but a high entry threshold and tight regulation.
• Competent synchronization of payments, RG and marketing will allow Suriname to stand out on the regional map and convert tourist and local demand into a sustainable "white" turnover.