Social aspects (gambling, regulation) - Suriname

1) Short: Where are we now

After the 2023 reforms, Suriname updated the basic framework for gambling. Wet Hazardspelen Act (S.B. 2023 No. 135) expressly allows online casinos only by decision of the President and with supervision by the supervisory Institute; it also lays the foundation for a responsible game (age 21 +, requirements for accounting systems and supervision). Supervision and teaching materials are conducted by the Gaming Control Board (GCBS).

2) What the "responsible play" law requires

Access and admission. Online exploitation is possible only with presidential permission, with control by GCBS. This creates the prerequisites for strict KYC/AML and self-defense tools (limits, self-exclusion) at the platform level.

Related acts. Changes to the supervision law (Wet Toezicht en Controle Kansspelen) clarify the authority of the Institute; the lottery block is detailed in Loterijbesluit (S.B. 2024 No. 138), which is important for raffles and charity events.

Focus on compliance. The state regularly advises the market (GCBS sessions based on AML assessments, discussion of the "license fee" to finance supervision).

3) Social risks: What research shows

There are few local representative estimates of the prevalence of the gambling problem in the public domain; this is a recognized data gap. As a guideline, meta-analyzes around the world give an order of ~ of 1-2% of problem players among the adult population (methods differ, the range varies by region). Strategies for prevention and early detection in Suriname should be built taking into account these intervals - before the appearance of their own research.

4) Availability of assistance and system vulnerabilities

Mental health in general. According to WHO/PAHO and previous reviews, the mental health care system in Suriname is historically concentrated in the capital; NGOs and education programs are developing, but remain limited - this also affects access to help with gambling addiction.

Children & Young Adults. UNICEF notes an increase in psychosocial burden in vulnerable groups and a lack of investment in support services - an important context for the prevention of problem play in families.

5) What the regulator and the market are already doing

Supervision and education. GCBS conducts the "Wet- en Regelgeving" block and organizes a dialogue with the industry on compliance and supervision financing. This is the basis for the implementation of a unified register of self-exclusion, deposit limits and reporting on interventions.

Payment/AML circuit. The country has undergone a mutual assessment to combat money laundering; the documents emphasize the importance of high-quality data collection and monitoring, which directly applies to the gambling sector.

6) Where gaps remain

1. Unified statistics on problem game. We need regular representative surveys and integrated dashboards (self-exclusion, limits, requests for help).

2. Access to aid outside the capital. It is important to develop primary care routing (PHC), online counseling and specialist training.

3. Uniform Advertising Code. Strict creative standards (age barriers, RG disclaimers, ban on "illicit financial behavior") will reduce risks for vulnerable groups.

7) Practical recommendations

For the state and the regulator

Studies every 3-5 years according to the model of international surveys (segmentation by age and region).

Unified RG module: register of self-exclusion, API for operators, KPI on "interventions" (contacts with the player before the breakdown), public quarterly reports.

PHC routing: checklists for primary care doctors, short screening scales, referral channels for psychological care.

For operators (online and offline)

Standard "safety kit": deposit/time limits, cool-off, self-exclusion, "peality-checks," visible RG sections (NL/EN).

Data & alerts: behavioral triggers (escalation of rates, night sessions, frequent deposits), the protocol of "soft interventions" and hand-off to the support service.

Advertising and promo: age verification, prohibition of "quick loans," understandable conditions for bonuses, coverage of vulnerable audiences - through an educational context, and not aggressive offers.

For citizens and families

Follow the "red flags": secret spending, debts, changing sleep/mood, abandoning business as usual.

Agree on budget limits, "no-credit" principle and days without playing.

At the first sign of discomfort - ask for support from a doctor/psychologist; check with the operator for self-exclusion tools and blockers.

8) FAQ

Are online casinos legal in Suriname?

Yes, but only with presidential authorization and GCBS oversight; operation without this is prohibited.

Is there an official body that monitors the responsibility of operators?

Yes I did. Supervision and regulation is carried out by the Gaming Control Board (Institute for the Supervision and Control of Gambling).

Where to look for help?

Start with a family doctor/psychologist in your location; ask the operator about self-exclusion tools and limits. For system routes, the Ministry of Health and PAHO/WHO recommend the integration of mental health into primary care - check available contacts on the ground.

Suriname has taken an important step in recent years: it has consolidated a strict procedure for admission to online games and strengthened supervision, creating a framework for a responsible model. The next stage is data and the availability of care: regular research, a single RG module and the expansion of psychosocial services. This approach reduces the harm from gambling addiction, increases confidence in the market and gives the country a transparent, socially sustainable gambling sector.