Online bingo in Tonga is prohibited under the Criminal Offences Act, which was first published in 1924 and last amended in 2016. The legislation strictly bans commercial gambling activities, including online bingo, with participation subject to fines or imprisonment of up to three months (1). While the law technically does not explicitly forbid online gambling through written regulations, no legal framework exists to license online bingo operators, making such operations effectively illegal in Tonga (2).
The Tongan government maintains an exceptionally conservative stance on gambling, prioritizing protection of citizens from gambling-related harms including addiction and financial problems (1). The Ministry of Police and Ministry of Internal Affairs enforce gambling laws by regulating only small-scale charitable gambling activities and preventing illegal operations (1). Tonga licenses neither commercial casinos nor online gambling operators, with the exception of charitable lotteries strictly controlled for fundraising purposes (2).
"Tonga licenses neither commercial casinos nor online gambling operators. While online gambling is not technically prohibited, no legal avenues are provided for citizens of Tonga to perform online gambling through licensed domestic platforms."
Despite the strict prohibitions, residents of Tonga maintain unimpeded access to offshore gambling websites licensed in other jurisdictions, though such participation occurs without legal protection or regulatory oversight (2). The country's small population of approximately 100,000 and limited internet infrastructure historically discouraged the government from establishing comprehensive online gambling regulations (2). Currently, there is minimal political will to reform Tonga's gambling laws, though international pressure and increased citizen participation in offshore online bingo may eventually prompt legislative reconsideration in the future (1).
Source:
https://www.igamingtoday.com/gambling-regulation-in-tonga/
https://lcb.org/restrictions/tonga
Last updated: 01-11-2025 Disclaimer: This article does not provide legal advice. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney directly.
