Barely weeks after launching a mobile based lottery the Papua New Guinea Government National Gaming Control Board (NGCB) has suspended PNG Lotto’s mobile lottery operations pending further consultations.

Late in October, the mobile lottery was launched in partnership with the Digicel telecommunications company (see previous InfoPowa report), but has been heavily criticised by community and church bodies.

Paul Siwi, PNG Lotto chief executive says public consultations will be held sometime this week.  “The suspension will allow for further consultations with community leaders and a review to ensure that PNG Lotto is meeting all of the conditions of the license awarded by the Gaming Board,” he said.