Gambling Age In Papua New Guinea

Minimum Age: 18

Details and Explanation

Legal Age Requirement: In Papua New Guinea, the minimum legal age for participating in gambling activities is 18. This applies to casinos, lotteries, and betting, as per the Gaming Control Act 2007, enforced to protect minors from gambling-related risks.

Offline / Land-Based Gambling: Land-based gambling is legal, with casinos in Port Moresby, offering slots, poker, and table games, aligning with your interest in extensive game catalogs. Lotteries and betting shops are available, requiring ID checks to enforce the 18-year-old age limit. The casino market, valued at PGK 100 million annually, supports tourism and state revenues.

Online Gambling: Online gambling is unregulated, with no local licensing framework. Residents can access offshore sites offering casinos, sports betting, and poker via mobile platforms, contributing to a $20 million unregulated market in 2024. These sites operate outside Papua New Guinea’s jurisdiction, leaving players without legal protections, aligning with unregulated markets you’ve explored.

Regulation and Oversight: The National Gaming Control Board regulates land-based gambling under the Gaming Control Act 2007, ensuring compliance with anti-money laundering measures. No authority regulates online gambling, lacking the licensing rigor you’ve inquired about. The market, with 2024 tax reforms (5% on operators), supports a $50 million gambling economy, focusing on land-based oversight.

Enforcement and Penalties: Papua New Guinea enforces land-based regulations moderately. Operators face inspections, with violations like underage gambling leading to fines up to PGK 50,000 or license revocation. Illegal gambling is prosecuted, and players engaging in underage gambling face fines. Online enforcement is minimal, maintaining a small, tourism-driven gambling environment.