Online Gambling Regulatory Potential (Suriname)

1) Current legal basis: what is already there

In September 2023, Suriname adopted the updated Wet Hazardspelen (Gambling Law). The text of the law directly operates with the concept of "online casino," sets the requirements for player access (21 +), maintaining a "near real-time" control database for RG sessions and interventions, and also provides for a centralized register of self-exclusion; a separate chapter establishes "further rules for the operation of (online) -casino." This confirms that the legal framework for online casinos in the country has already been formed at the level of the basic law.

• Access 21 + and a mandatory player profile before entering the online casino (full name, date of birth, address, citizenship, scan ID, phone, email).
• "Near real-time" control base: date/time and nature of profile changes, volume of bets by type of game, fixation and reasons for all interventions (responsible game).
• Register of exceptions (self-exclusion) under the supervision of the supervisory institution; procedure - state order.
• Supervision and exclusion of access to (online) -casino on the grounds of AML/ECON crimes; prohibiting the participation of operator and supervisor personnel in games.
• Licensing and instructions of the President (including consent to transfer/change the online license), taking into account the conclusions of the Supervisory Institute.

In 2024, state regulations followed in the development of Wet Hazardspelen norms (including "Hazardspelenbesluit" from 19. 09. 2024) and changes to Wet Toezicht en Controle Kansspelen (supervisory law), indicating continued regulatory adjustment.

2) Institutes and regulatory circuit

Supervision and licensing in the gambling sector is carried out through the relevant body (Gaming Control Board/Toezicht en Controle Kansspelen), indicated in the law as the Institute; the official resource of the regulator confirms the presence of regulatory blocks for Wet Hazardspelen and Wet Toezicht en Controle Kansspelen.

In parallel, financial infrastructure and settlements are supervised by the Central Bank of Suriname (CBvS). According to CBvS, the national payment system is still being modernized (historically - semi-manual clearing/no full-fledged electronic interbank system), which affects the choice of payment rails for iGaming.

3) Where else rules are needed: the "potential" of codification

1. License categories and B2C/B2B perimeter. Separate licenses for casinos/slots, mutual bets, live casinos; statuses for platform/content providers, affiliates. (The law already operates "online casino," but by-laws can structure the portfolio of licenses and their terms.)

2. Technical standards and auditing. Encryption, data storage in the region/abroad, independent RNG/RTP audit, platform certification, event logging and near real-time monitoring (in law - control base; standards are set by regulations/regulatory guidelines).

3. KYC/AML/CFT. Risk-based compliance, sanctions lists, deposit/rate limits, triggers for RG intervention; synchronization with banking/payment rules. (The bank and the payment regulator are critical to practical implementation.)

4. Advertising and marketing. Time/channel restrictions, prohibitions on "nudging" mechanics, protection of vulnerable groups; coordination of cross-border advertising of operators. (The block is logically fixed by regulations to Wet Hazardspelen.)

5. Data protection and privacy. A bill on the protection of personal data is being promoted in the country (the creation of an authorized body and basic principles of processing). Even before its adoption, online operators must lay down standards for privacy-by-design.

6. Payment solutions and settlements. Before the modernization of interbank settlements, operators will need hybrid rails: cards, local wallets, bank transfers, possibly regulated integration with stable solutions under the requirements of the Central Bank/AML.

7. Responsible play. The law already requires a registry of exceptions and near real-time control; resolutions can set uniform deposit/time limits, cool-off procedures, age verification/geolocation, and RG reporting.

4) Launch scenarios and "window of opportunity" (2025-2027)

Base case scenario. Continuation of the release of Staatsbesluiten (state regulations) to Wet Hazardspelen (similar to 2024), pilot licenses for a limited number of operators, connection of certified studios and payment gateways.

Accelerated scenario. A package of by-laws immediately in 5-7 blocks (licenses, technical standards, RG, advertising, payments), launching a "sandbox" for controlled technology tests (location/age verification, anti-fraud).

Cautious scenario. Prolongation of adjustment due to institutional burden (supervision, IT systems, integration), focus on the offline segment and gradual connection of the online mechanic (eKYC, exception register, control base) - with a late full opening of the market.

It is contextually important that the Internet environment in the country is assessed as relatively free (without systematic blocking), which simplifies technical compliance (geocontrol, reporting) without heavy network restrictions.

5) Risks and points of attention for the state

Enforcement and shadow access. Without clear licensing and payment rules, traffic goes offshore, which reduces player protection/tax collection.

Payment infrastructure. While the Central Bank is modernizing the system, it is necessary to provide for temporary standards for settlements (settlement accounts, escrow, transit reporting), otherwise there will be weak conversion/many failures.

Data and privacy. The introduction of a national data law would increase trust and simplify cross-border audits; without it, operators must rely on contractual and technical measures and local regulations.

Responsible play. It is necessary to turn the norms of Art. 9-10 into practice: unified interfaces of the RG register, KPI interventions, independent checks.

6) Risks and points of attention for operators

License and role of the President/Institute. License transfers/changes require the consent of the President, taking into account the conclusion of the Institute - this must be taken into account in the ownership structures and M & A.

IT architecture. Logs "near real-time," storage and protection of player data, integration with the RG registry and the intervention module.

Marketing. Readiness for strict rules on advertising/affiliates, whitelisting creatives and reporting.

7) Recommended roadmap for the regulator

1. Publish licenses and admission criteria (B2C/B2B), including financial/technical requirements and data localization.

2. Introduce tech standards and audits (RNG/RTP, logging, anti-fraud, geo/age-check), with transition windows.

3. A single RG module (central register, API for operators, KPI of interventions, reporting under Art. 10).

4. Payment rules: list of permitted providers/methods, requirements for settlements/returns, AML monitoring, pilots before modernization of nats. Central Bank payments.

5. Advertising Code and affiliate regulations with severe sanctions for violations.

8) Withdrawal

Suriname already has a substantive legal framework for online casinos (Wet Hazardspelen 2023) with a focus on 21 + access, near real-time control and centralized RG infrastructure. Further regulatory assembly through state regulations (as in 2024) and the release of clear licensing rules, technical standards and payments will allow the country to launch a transparent, controlled and fiscally efficient online market without leaking traffic offshore.

• Wet Hazardspelen (S.B. 2023 No. 135) - official text (DNA Suriname).
• State. decrees 2024 in the development of the Law (library card).
• Regulator page (GCBS) on current laws/oversight.
• CBvS: national payment system (settlement context).
• Assessment of the Internet environment (Freedom House).