Is online gambling legal in Papua New Guinea?

The market is unregulated, so there are no government-mandated tools like self-exclusion or deposit limits. Recreational gambling winnings are not taxable.

The lottery is legal on sites licensed in Papua New Guinea.

Using a VPN to reach gambling sites from Papua New Guinea: Legal.

Gambling with crypto: Not regulated; the authorities warn against it.

You must be 18 to gamble online in Papua New Guinea, for online casino, sports betting and lottery alike.

Recreational gambling winnings are not taxable.

There are approximately 12 licensed operators in Papua New Guinea as of 18 Jun 2026.

Always verify a casino holds a valid National Gaming Control Board (NGCB) licence before depositing.

Prominent operators in Papua New Guinea

If a site isn't on the regulator's licensee register, ask the regulator before you play: an unlisted site is usually not licensed here (a register can lag behind a new licence). An unlicensed site is outside the regulator's supervision, so you cannot complain to the regulator about it.

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  Confirm the site's foreign licence

  Since no online gambling sites are licensed in Papua New Guinea, only play on sites that hold a reputable international licence from jurisdictions like Malta (MGA) or the UK (UKGC).

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  Understand there is no local recourse

  The National Gaming Control Board (NGCB) does not regulate offshore sites. If you have a dispute over payments or fairness, the NGCB cannot help you. Your only recourse is with the operator and its foreign licensor.

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  Avoid cryptocurrency deposits

  The Bank of Papua New Guinea has issued strong public warnings about the risks of using cryptocurrencies, which are not legal tender and are associated with a high prevalence of scams. Stick to conventional payment methods.

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  Recognize the legal grey area

  While it is not illegal for you to play on offshore sites, the market is entirely unregulated. This means there are no government-mandated player protection tools like self-exclusion or deposit limits.

What you can expect from a licensed site's offers in Papua New Guinea. The rules operators must follow are on the operator page.

We have no record of a national self-exclusion scheme or problem-gambling helpline in Papua New Guinea. The law does not require licensed sites to offer deposit limits. Reality checks (reminders of how long you have played) are not required.

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   1. Contact the operator directly

   Because there are no locally licensed online operators, the first step is to resolve the issue with the customer support of the offshore website you are using. Maintain a clear record of all communication.

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   2. Escalate to the foreign regulator

   If the operator fails to resolve your dispute, you can file a complaint with their licensing authority (e.g., Malta Gaming Authority, Curaçao Gaming Control Board). The PNG National Gaming Control Board has no jurisdiction over these sites and cannot assist.

• Myth

  Online gambling is illegal in Papua New Guinea.
  Reality

  This is incorrect. The Gaming Control Act 2007 provides a legal basis for online gambling. However, the government has not issued any local licenses, so all available sites are based offshore. Accessing them is tolerated.

• Myth

  You have to pay tax on your gambling winnings.
  Reality

  No, winnings from recreational gambling are not considered taxable income for players in Papua New Guinea.

• Myth

  Using a VPN to access betting sites is a crime.
  Reality

  The use of VPNs is legal in Papua New Guinea. There are no laws prohibiting their use for accessing online content, including international gambling websites.

• Myth

  The government recommends using cryptocurrency for gambling.
  Reality

  On the contrary, the Bank of Papua New Guinea does not recognize cryptocurrency as legal tender and actively warns citizens against using it due to the high risk of scams and lack of legal protection.