Suriname Betting Sites

The Republic of Suriname is a country situated at the northeast of South America. Europeans first arrived here in the 16th century, with the Dutch controlling most of the country. After much struggle, the country eventually gained its independence in 1975. Gambling in Suriname is altogether legal and regulated; especially the land-based sector is well organized.

Sports are quite popular, while locals are keen football fans. Dutch football legends Edgar Davids and Clarence Seedorf are both of Surinamese descent; it comes naturally that many locals love sports betting in Suriname. As for the online gambling scene, it is still quite vague. apart from the local Suribet, no other operators hold a local license. Still, laws do not forbid online betting; as a result, many international bookmakers accept local bettors.

Best Betting Sites in Suriname

Many players play at international bookies every day, so to make it easier for you, we list the best bookmakers in Suriname, which stand out for the special bets and welcome offers they provide, as well as the extensive coverage of the biggest football events from around the world.

Betting in Suriname - 5 Things to Know

1. The legal gambling age is 18
2. Online gambling falls under no proper regulation. However, it's not illegal
3. There are bookmakers’ shops in major cities
4. Suribet is the only licensing betting company
5. Playing at international bookies is an everyday pastime

General info

⏩Population: 577.000

⏩Active players: 75.000

⏩Currency: Surinamese dollar (SRD)

⏩Regulated gambling products: Sports betting, casinos, lotteries

⏩Operator types: Casinos, lotteries, bookmaker shops, unlicensed online bookies & casinos

⏩Designated authority: The Gaming Board

⏩Status: Regulated

Is Sports Betting in Suriname Legal?

The country has a long tradition of gambling while betting in Suriname is particularly popular. The first gambling law came as early as 1962; the minimum age to gamble was set at 18, which still stands. Also, it initially allowed only tourists to partake, as it was illegal for local players to enter such premises. In 1996 though, all forms of gambling were made legal when the first gambling act came to life; locals were able to gamble as well. Foreign investors built casinos, and soon, Suriname had over 10 casinos.

In 2000, the political situation started to change, and by 2004, all laws became more strict, including the gambling sector. Then came 2009, a pivotal year when the Gaming Board was founded; it continued to issue licences, however, mainly regarding land-based casinos. The Supervision and Control Act of 2009 did not bring major changes, just a few amendments. There are also quite a few Suriname bet shops and lottery ticket stands.

Regarding online gambling in Suriname, no licensing process exists as of today; at the same time, there are no laws against it either, so there's nothing illegal about accessing online bookies. Talking of which, Suribet is the only company that currently holds a local license to offer online services, as well as lotto games and scratch cards. No other entity has even applied for one since there is no clear process to be followed.

Essential Info for Bettors

All forms of gambling are legal and regulated, especially regarding the land-based sector. Players can visit various bookmaking shops and place their bets. There is, however, a slight confusion around online gambling in Suriname. While there is no clear framework to cover it, local operator Suribet is offering online services, too.

However, even without proper regulation for Suriname betting sites, the authorities treat online betting as being totally legal. On the other hand, players must be careful to avoid scam bookies. The most convenient way to do that is by sticking to our exhaustive list of Suriname online betting operators; who, in addition, offer much more betting variety than the local operator does.

How to Deposit at Online Bookies

If you’re looking to bet online, Suriname has quite a few different options for you and different ways to fund your online account, too. E-banking services are very common, and so is the use of Visa and Mastercard cards.

And while all betting sites in Suriname provide these payment methods, there is yet another convenient way to transact, e-wallets; money moving platforms, which offer fast and reliable transactions with an extra bit of privacy. So, we’d recommend local bookies that offer localised content, currencies, and payment options like ecoPayz and Jeton. Note that PayPal, Neteller and Skrill do not operate in the country.

Lastly, keep in mind the cryptocurrency option as well. Without yet falling under local legislation, much of online sports betting takes place through cryptos. So, why not simply get to know it better; its popularity is growing, so you might want to be one step ahead.

The Future of Online Betting in Suriname

The Suriname sports betting scene is still undergoing changes. Setting up proper regulation for the online sector is something that has been under discussion for ages. The fact that there are no laws against it either, though, has left everyone content. The state receives money from the local operator, and players play online worry-free. Just make sure to avoid fake betting sites by sticking with the lists of bookmakers we provide.

We can’t risk a prediction that international operators will apply for a license. Then again, no matter if this happens or not, it makes no big difference to players; they will continue their online betting in Suriname with any bookmaker they like, as long as the law keeps such a lax stance towards it.

Gambling in Similar Countries

What does gambling look like in neighbouring Brazil or in the Netherlands that ruled the country till 1975? It is wise to be informed before travelling and gambling across the border or when you have the option to choose a different country of origin online. Let's take a look at the situation in both countries:

⏩ Brazil: was on the verge of legalising gambling, but all the efforts failed to come into force when the former president did not sign the bill. Still, you can find a lot of land-based and online forms of gambling that are open for locals and tourists. The Brazil betting sites are operating in the grey, and many websites are blocked.

⏩ The Netherlands: has legalised gambling and issued a local license for players. Though all land-based operators are licensed, and the websites are either blocked or require licenses, among the Dutch betting sites are some offshore bookmakers that players are free to sign up for.