Tourist nature of the industry (Suriname)

Short thesis

The gambling ecosystem of Suriname is built for a tourist: most of the casinos are integrated into the hotels and resorts of the capital Paramaribo, next to key attractions and recreation infrastructure. This is also facilitated by the legal model after the 2023 reform, which concentrates land-based casinos in hotel properties under the supervision of GCBS.

Why exactly the travel model

1) Urban and cultural context

The historical core of Paramaribo is a UNESCO World Heritage Site: colonial wooden buildings, the waterfront and walking routes along the Waterkant form a "magnet" for guests. Casinos and hotels are logically drawn to these locations to combine accommodation, gastronomy and evening entertainment.

2) Travel economics

According to WTTC (EIR 2023) estimates, by 2033 the inbound flow to Suriname is projected to reach ~ 302 thousand arrivals, and the spending of visitors - SRD 2.13 billion (at constant prices in 2022). For a small country, this is a tangible share of consumer spending, supporting hotels, F&B and evening entertainment - including casinos.

3) Legal concentration in hotel clusters

Updated Wet Hazardspelen Law (13. 09. 2023) and changes to the oversight law secured a modern framework in which casinos are housed in hotels and controlled by the Gaming Control Board Suriname (GCBS). In 2024, the by-law Hazardspelenbesluit was also released, clarifying the application of the norms - the industry is moving towards a "resort" bundle and transparent supervision.

Where a tourist sees a "casino cluster" today

Paramaribo - Waterkant bundle + historical center

Ramada by Wyndham Princess with Paramaribo Princess Casino is a large all-in-one complex: Hotel 4, casino website, restaurants, rooftop pool and evening activities. The casino itself declares: 320 + slots, roulette/baccarat/blackjack tables, VIP area; mode 10: 00-04: 00 (weekdays) and until 06:00 (weekends). For a tourist, this is a classic "night anchor point."

Torarica Resort (Torarica Hotel & Casino) is a resort on the banks of the Suriname River in the heart of the capital: swimming pool, restaurants and evening events. The format "day rest - evening game" is convenient for families and business guests.

Both sites are within walking distance of the historic center and the embankment, which emphasizes their tourist nature.

How it affects product and player behaviour

• The casino becomes part of a comprehensive offer (accommodation, restaurant, pool, event venues), increasing occupancy and the average check.
• The event calendar (dinners, concerts, clubs/rooftop) forms the evening flow of guests, which organically flows into the game halls.

• Convenience and safety: no need to move around the city at night - all your leisure time under one roof.
• One day's itinerary: Historic Centre (UNESCO) → Waterkant walk → hotel dinner → evening casino game.

Online segment and its connection with tourism

Although online services themselves are not a "tourist" product, the local licensed model (after 2023) reinforces the country's image as a white, complimentary jurisdiction: operators associated with hotel brands can broadcast liability standards from offline to a digital channel. For the tourist, this means more understandable rules and marketing, and for the state - the control of advertising and supervision through GCBS.

Practical tips for the tourism and casino section of the website

1. Focus on clusters. Describe the objects "package": hotel → casino → restaurants → walking distance to UNESCO/Waterkant.

2. Let's have operational details. Opening hours and a set of games are best taken from the official pages of the casino/hotel (for example: Princess Casino - 320 + slots, mode until 04: 00/06: 00).

3. Refine your entry rules. Suriname has age and ID controls; this is in line with the "hotel casino" model and GCBS oversight.

4. Support with numbers of tourist flow. Use the latest WTTC/UNWTO reports to show the contribution of travel to the demand for evening leisure and casinos.

Suriname's gambling industry is part of the capital's tourism product: branded hotels with on-site casinos, evening entertainment and proximity to UNESCO sites create an understandable and safe vacation scenario. The reform of 2023 and the work of GCBS have enshrined this logic in law, and growing (according to the forecast) tourist flows support it economically.