Online gambling: grey market (Suriname)

1) What was called the "gray market" until 2023

Before the adoption of the package of laws in September 2023, Suriname did not have a full-fledged local framework for online casinos and online betting. Players went to foreign sites, and operators from abroad de facto offered services without a local license - this is how "gray" access arose. (This background is often reflected in English and Dutch-language reviews through 2023/2024)

2) Pivot in 2023: Local license mandatory

On September 13, 2023, the updated Wet Hazardspelen came into force. He says bluntly: online casinos in Suriname can only be operated under a license issued by the President on the advice of the regulator; otherwise - prohibited. The norm also applies against an offshore offer addressed to players in Suriname.

Supervision is conducted by the Gaming Control Board Suriname (GCBS), which lists the applicable laws (including Wet Hazardspelen and the law on supervision and control) on the official page.

Adjacent segments have also been modernized: Loterijwet (2023) and the by-law Loterijbesluit (2024) have been adopted, which closes the "gray" zones in lotteries and strengthens control.

3) What counts as "gray" today (2025)

• Any online casino/bookmaker that does not have a Surinamese license, but accepts players from Suriname or targets advertising on them (including domains/applications hosted abroad). This directly contradicts Wet Hazardspelen.
• Pseudo-legal practices: using an offshore license as a "replacement" for a local one. For Suriname, it does not give the right to offer services in the country without a national license. (The regional context of offshore licenses shows that neighboring jurisdictions are also reforming online oversight, but this does not override Suriname's requirements.)

4) Risks for players in the "gray zone"

No local protection: Disputes with an offshore site are not subject to GCBS national oversight and Surinamese jurisdiction.

Payment risks: blocks/delays in payments, lack of understandable CCP procedures/player-host.

Marketing abuse: aggressive bonuses, opaque "vager" rules, weak liability limits.

Compliance factors: for large amounts, an offshore company may require non-standard confirmation of funds and at the same time avoid responsibility for storing/processing personal data.

5) How to tell the difference between a legal online product in Suriname

1. Look for a national license/GCBS mention on the operator's website; compare details with the public base/section "Wet- en Regelgeving" of the regulator.

2. Check the Jurassic. disclaimers: explicit recognition of regulation specifically of Suriname (and not just offshore jurisdiction).

3. Rate marketing: the site should not target Suriname players without a local license (Wet Hazardspelen prohibited).

6) What operators should do

Obtain a local license: the new law is a framework for national licensing of online casinos/betting; without it, it is illegal to offer services to players in Suriname.

Build compliance to GCBS requirements: KYC/AML, advertising rules, responsible play, reporting. (The powers and base of acts are on the GCBS website.)

Consider adjacent segments: Loterijwet and Loterijbesluit are valid for lotteries - separate permits and controls.

7) Practical cheat sheet for your readers

Legally: online service with Surinamese license and transparent details; offline - casinos at Paramaribo hotels (example: Ramada Princess), where compliance and operating hours are publicly described.

Gray/illegal: any offshore company without a national license that accepts or advertises for players from Suriname. This violates Wet Hazardspelen (even when hosting abroad).

8) The bottom line

The thesis "in Suriname, online gambling is a gray market" was true until 2023. Now there is a national model: without a local license, you cannot offer online games to players from the country. For content about Suriname, it is important to clarify: the "gray market" is offshore sites without a Surinamese license, and they carry increased risks for the user. Draw on primary sources - Staatsblad 2023 No. 135 (Wet Hazardspelen) and the GCBS section.

Sources

Wet Hazardspelen, S.B. 2023 No. 135 - ban on the operation of online casinos without a national license; applies to offshore targeting.

GCBS - "Wet- en Regelgeving" - the official code of laws and supervision.

Loterijwet (S.B. 2023 No. 136) and Loterijbesluit (S.B. 2024 No. 138) are modern rules for lotteries.

An example of public offline compliance (Ramada/Princess Casino: watches, VIP, pool of games) is a guideline for "white" practices and transparency.