Online casinos operate in a legal gray area in Tonga, as the country's constitution remains silent on online gambling regulations. While there are no specific laws prohibiting online gambling, land-based gambling is strictly prohibited by Tongan law. The Polynesian kingdom has consistently rejected attempts to establish physical casinos, with the Prime Minister stating that gambling is prohibited by law and any attempt to obtain a gaming license would be futile (1).
Tonga's approach to gambling has been heavily influenced by religious considerations, particularly the dominant Free Wesleyan Church's opposition to casino development. In 2017, the government rejected a major casino development proposal from Red Warrior Entertainment, which sought to invest over $450 million in casino and resort facilities. The Minister of Revenue and Customs confirmed that the government had only approved a development proposal for hotels, not gaming facilities (1).
"Radio Tonga reports the government rejected the request for a gaming system, as it would be illegal and would require an amendment to Tonga's legislation."
Despite the prohibition on land-based gambling, Tonga currently has no legal gambling facilities operating within its borders, as confirmed by international gambling industry databases. The World Casino Directory reports that Tonga has zero cities with gambling facilities and zero legal gambling facilities available in total (2). While online gambling remains unregulated, the absence of specific legislation means that Tongan residents can access offshore gambling sites without legal consequences. However, the government's strong stance against gambling, combined with religious opposition and low internet penetration rates, has prevented the development of a regulated online gambling market in the kingdom.
Source:
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/323087/tongan-govt-denies-issuing-gaming-licence
https://www.worldcasinodirectory.com/tonga
Last updated: 20-07-2025 Disclaimer: This article does not provide legal advice. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney directly.
