PRESS RELEASE – JOINT STATEMENT
Paga Hill Estate Special Economic Zone (SEZ), Minister for International Trade & Investment and the Special Economic Zone Authority
Paga Hill Development Company (PHDC) and the Ministry of International Trade & Investment are delighted to announce the commencement of construction of the Paga Hill Estate Special Economic Zone (SEZ) Satellite Casino at Paga Hill’s waterfront today.
On the back of Radisson Hotel Group’s commitment to operate a hotel precinct atop Paga Hill, PHDC is pleased to announce this next piece of the SEZ’s tourism strategy: a satellite casino at Paga Hill’s waterfront.
PNG’s tourism potential
Tourism is PNG’s sleeping giant. Our country’s rich and diverse culture is truly unique and makes PNG an incredible destination. Still, we attract a fraction of the international visitation of neighbouring countries Fiji, New Caledonia and Vanuatu. The missing links are tourism infrastructure such as resorts, attractions, products and services, together with an image of PNG that replaces legacy and negative perceptions. Paga Hill Estate was designated the nation’s flagship Special Economic Zone for its plan to address these very items.
Paga Hill Estate SEZ’s planned foreshore promenade, featuring various tourism infrastructure including craft market, alfresco dining, amphitheatre, public plaza, community cinema, mangrove promenades and various lookouts
The role of Paga Hill Estate SEZ in attracting a broader base of increased tourism
Paga Hill Estate SEZ represents a bold vision to transform the nation’s capital. Physically, it more than doubles the existing downtown area and constitutes an opportunity to reimagine Port Moresby, developing residential, commercial, hospitality and tourism elements that collectively present a new image of Port Moresby to the world. Specifically, one that more people will be willing to visit, reside, work and play at.
The planned Radisson Hotel, and now the satellite casino, will form key elements of Paga Hill Estate SEZ’s tourism infrastructure. Casinos are a proven means of attracting and prolonging international visitation. Research indicates that casinos prolong visitors’ stay in a city and stimulate expenditure. The World Tourism Organisation concludes that they also stimulate the local economy surrounding the casino, bringing in more people, more often to the area, creating demand for year-round entertainment.
Artistic impression of Radisson hotel atop Paga Hill, a key piece Paga Hill Estate SEZ’s planned tourism infrastructure
Paga Hill Estate SEZ’s Satellite vs Permanent Casino
‘Satellite’, or temporary facilities are a proven method of developing casinos internationally, especially where no casino existed before, as is the case in PNG. For example, Sydney’s Star City Casino operated a temporary facility for two years ahead of opening the current venue. Paga Hill Estate’s satellite casino will similarly operate for up to five years. This provides an opportunity to test the market, inform plans for the eventual permanent facility, and allow for international tourism operators, including cruise liners, to feature Port Moresby in their plans.
Exterior and interior artistic impressions of complete Satellite Casino now under construction
Artistic impressions of possible option for permanent Pacific Pearl Casino at Paga Hill Estate SEZ (same location as satellite casino)
The casino’s target audience
PHDC is developing a casino at Paga Hill Estate as part of a collection of tourism infrastructure that will attract new tourism and prolong their stays in PNG. The casino will therefore explicitly target foreign nationals. Casino operations will be modelled on the Singapore model, where passports are required on entry, and a cost-prohibitive entry fee applies to locals.
The casino’s role in the community
In addition to safeguarding the local community, the casino at Paga Hill Estate SEZ will be a major contributor to local causes. As is the law in PNG, 30% of all gaming revenue will go back to the Government via the National Gaming Control Board (NGCB) and includes a Community Benefit Levy. This will help fund grass roots activities and much-needed social programs through the likes of church and other groups. So, while the venue will operate for international tourists – helping to attract and entertain them – it’ll be very much working to support the people of PNG.
Casino operator
Operating a casino involves a specialised skillset – PHDC remains the landowner and developer of Paga Hill Estate, and is currently in the final stages of selecting an operator, one that is suitably experienced and credentialled, and meets all the National Gaming Control Board (NGCB)’s requirements.
Next steps & opening date
The satellite casino’s construction is expected to be complete in Q3 2025. We look forward to the successful candidate announcing the casino’s opening date in due course.
We also look forward to filing the Radisson Hotel Precinct Building Board application with the SEZ Physical Planning Board soon, and to progressing these major pieces of tourism infrastructure in tandem.
Paga Hill Development Company
Mr Peter Barge – Chairman, Advisory Board
Mr Gudmundur Fridriksson – Managing Director
Mr George Hallit – Chief Operating Officer
Ministry of International Trade & Investment
Hon. Richard Maru, MP – Minister for International Trade & Investment (and Special Economic Zones)
Dr Lawrence Sause, PhD – SEZ Authority Chairman
Quotes
Mr Gudmundur Fridriksson
Managing Director, Paga Hill Development Company
We’re delighted to break ground on this significant piece of tourism infrastructure, which will be a key part of Paga Hill Estate’s tourism strategy, and that of PNG more broadly. Casinos are a proven means of attracting and prolonging foreign visitation.
Paga Hill Estate’s casino will expressly target foreign nationals. This satellite venue will be an initial phase in building PNG’s profile as a gaming destination, as well as inform an eventual permanent facility, which will form part of an Integrated Resort Development (IRD), a genuine entertainment destination for all to enjoy.
Hon. Richard Maru, MP
Minister for International Trade & Investment (and Special Economic Zones)
Paga Hill Estate is the nation’s flagship SEZ; the future of Port Moresby. Today’s casino groundbreaking comes on the back of announcing Radisson’s involvement in the hotel and brings the project one step closer to realising a ‘Tourism City’.
PNG’s tourism industry is one of boundless potential. Paga Hill Estate SEZ, leveraging its Radisson hotel, casino and other planned elements, will attract a broader base of increased tourism, tapping into this potential for positive and sustained economic impact.
