Online casinos are legally permitted in Papua New Guinea under the Gaming Control Act 2007, which legalized all forms of gambling including internet-based casino operations. The legislation established the National Gaming Control Board (NGCB) to oversee and regulate gambling activities, issue licenses, and monitor compliance across the country (2). Despite the legal framework allowing online casino operations, Papua New Guinea currently has zero cities with gambling facilities and zero legal gambling establishments in total, indicating that no operators have yet obtained local licenses to establish physical or online casino operations (1).
The regulatory framework requires all gambling operators, including online casinos, to obtain proper licensing from the NGCB before legally offering services to residents or international players. The Gaming Control Act 2007 introduced comprehensive regulations covering taxation, licensing procedures, and operational requirements for various gambling activities including casinos, sports betting, and lotteries (2). However, despite the legal provisions for online gambling licensing, no companies have successfully applied for or received PNG gaming licenses, leaving residents to access offshore casino platforms that operate without local regulatory oversight.
"Online gambling isn't as regulated because the NGCB doesn't have enough monetary funds and technical expertise to monitor and control it effectively."
Currently, Papua New Guinea residents can legally access international online casino platforms, as the Gaming Control Act does not prohibit citizens from playing on offshore gambling sites. The NGCB focuses primarily on land-based gambling regulation, while online gambling remains under-regulated due to limited resources and technical expertise (2). This situation creates a legal gray area where online casino participation is not illegal for players, but operators cannot legally provide services without proper NGCB licensing. The government collects significant revenue from gambling-related licensing fees and taxes, which the NGCB reinvests in public causes, though the online sector remains largely untapped for local economic benefits.
Source:
https://www.worldcasinodirectory.com/papua-new-guinea
https://www.igamingtoday.com/gambling-regulations-in-papua-new-guinea/
Last updated: 20-07-2025 Disclaimer: This article does not provide legal advice. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney directly.
