Suriname has begun to clamp down on illegal practices in its lucrative casino industry, in a bid to curb social ills and boost revenue collection.
According to a report in Suriname daily de Ware Tijd, the Suriname government is taking action against casinos operating in breach of their licences, while also introducing a 300% tax increase to collect more revenues from the sector. As a result of the government’s campaign, the Association of Casino Owners (VCS) is outraged, threatening to close casinos at the risk of endangering hundreds of jobs and revenue.
Stabroek News has learnt that the government’s actions were prompted by a number of cases where casinos have failed to adhere to the laws, which bear similarity to Guyana’s recently enacted legislation.
In Suriname, casinos are allowed in hotels with at least 20 rooms. Casino operators are required to report all questionable bets by customers, and to ensure adequate surveillance systems are in place to prevent irregularities and money laundering. They are also mandated to have security checks to prevent local nationals from entering casinos illegally. Surinamese nationals are supposed to carry their ID cards when accompanying foreigners visiting casinos. However, there has been a number of violations of the provisions in the licences, including the practice of Surinamese nationals being allowed into casinos without a check of their IDs.
Although casinos enhance Suriname’s tourism industry, perceived societal ills associated with gambling have forced the government to take action to ensure enforcement of the laws. At the same time, it is believed that casinos are making enormous profits and as a result the government has prepared a new tax system for the gambling industry.
According to the Guyana’s laws, which were passed in January, casino licences may be issued to a new hotel or resort complex with a minimum of 150 rooms and holding a minimum rating that is prescribed by regulations. It also provides for the establishment of a Gaming Authority, which may issue to any person, subject to any condition it thinks fit, a casino premises licence authorizing any place to be operated as a casino and a casino operator’s licence authorising the person to operate a casino. The Bill also says that no more than three casino premises licences may be issued in respect of any one of the ten administrative regions.
The casino gambling legislation was introduced here despite a huge amount of protest by the religious community, which expressed concern over perceived associated ills as well as the manner in which the government moved to legalise it. The leaders of the major religious faiths claimed that they had not been properly consulted and that the government brought no evidence to show economic benefits of the venture or strategies to deal with the social consequences. During the parliamentary debate on the introduction of the bill, the parliamentary opposition withheld its support as its members questioned the government’s ability to ensure that the sector is properly regulated and that the laws are enforced.
