Prime Minister James Marape launched the highly anticipated Paga Hill Special Economic Zone (SEZ) Satellite Casino in Port Moresby on Friday, October 11th. This major project, aimed at boosting Papua New Guinea's economy, is expected to attract international tourists and high-income visitors with its world-class facilities. Marape emphasized that the casino will not be for local citizens but specifically for overseas visitors, positioning PNG as a key destination in the region. In his speech, Prime Minister Marape made it clear that the casino is meant for tourists and expatriates, not the general public. "Noken ting casino op na yu laik lusim Erima na kam lo hia, nogat." “We are targeting our international residents in our city, as well as the tourists who will come in, especially for gaming in our country,” said Marape. He stressed that only people with disposable incomes, particularly those earning over K200,000 per year, could access the casino. Membership fees or a foreign passport is required for entry, mirroring the strict rules of Singapore’s casinos, which also restrict entry to their citizens. Marape highlighted the casino’s potential to spur economic growth. He noted, "Papua New Guinea stands ready to harness the growth that is taking place in Asia." He sees this project as part of PNG’s broader ambition to modernize and integrate into the fast-growing economies of Southeast Asia and the Indo-Pacific. The Paga Hill SEZ Satellite Casino is expected to be a cornerstone of PNG's development, looking to completing this casino project within six months, providing new jobs and boosting the local economy. The project, led by the Paga Hill Development Company (PHDC), includes a luxury hotel, high-end gaming tables, and state-of-the-art gaming machines, and the casino will be built to international standards, with operations modelled after Singapore’s highly successful casino system. Meanwhile, PHDC Chairman Peter Barge stressed the economic benefits, stating, "This project will broaden the appeal of Papua New Guinea." He added tourism is PNG’s most untapped asset, and the casino is set to be a central part of a larger tourism-driven economy. Barge added, “Paga Hill will be a tourism city,” further stating that the casino’s role is to draw in high-end tourists from countries like China and Australia. “The casino is not just a place for entertainment—it is a significant economic engine that is expected to create jobs for locals, especially the Motu Koita people.” Prime Minister Marape emphasized that employment priority would be given to local landowners. He also discussed PNG’s transition from an export-based economy to a manufacturing economy, driven by projects like the casino, which will boost growth and investment. According to Marape, “By 2026, we’ll be a K150 billion economy,” signalling rapid economic growth, as investors in the casino and other development projects stand to benefit from a quicker return on investment compared to other countries. “One of the most critical aspects of the casino’s operation is its strict entry policy - the casino is not open to local citizens unless they are members with high incomes.” The casino will feature 100 of the latest gaming machines, high-roller gaming tables, and invitation-only rooms and it is just one part of a broader development vision for Port Moresby. It will also house restaurants and bars to create a full-service entertainment experience for visitors. Prime Minister Marape outlined the city’s transformation, with plans for modernizing the downtown area and making it a hub for business and tourism. “We want to develop PNG so that our children can proudly live in a modern PNG.” Marape stressed that the casino will be a symbol of the country’s progress, blending modernity with its rich cultural heritage. “We’re working to secure our children’s future by making PNG a place where people want to visit and invest.” The Paga Hill SEZ will also include other developments like hotels and residential buildings. PHDC is working quickly to complete roadworks and other infrastructure to support this growth. The project aims to attract international attention, positioning PNG as a modern nation with world-class facilities within the next six months.