Papua New Guinea Online Gaming

In 2007, Papua New Guinea’s parliament passed the Gaming Control Bill 2007 allowing internet gambling. It prohibited local residents from participating and implemented a 20% tax on gross profits.

Subsequent practice and guidance now generally treat online gambling as legal for both domestic and offshore operators licensed by the National Gaming Control Board, although there are still very few locally regulated online casino or betting sites and many PNG players use offshore platforms.

In theory, the National Gaming Control Board (NGCB) regulates all forms of gaming activities and promotes community awareness of problem gambling; the NGCB is a statutory regulator created by the Gaming Control Act 2007, with powers over licensing, taxation and compliance for casinos, gaming machines, betting shops and online gambling. Budget-related amendments, such as the Gaming Control (2022 Budget) Amendment Act 2021, have since updated tax and fee provisions rather than repealing the core 2007 framework.

In 2010, the NGCB issued a license to PNG Lotto to provide lottery games via mobile phones domestically. Ten percent (10%) of all profits are to be allocated for development and engagement of youths in sports.