Timor-Leste has officially entered the international iGaming arena with the launch of its first-ever offshore gaming license, granted under a national concession contract to Golden River Universe Lda (GRU).
The move marks a strategic milestone in the young nation’s broader push for economic diversification and digital sector development.
The concession was formally signed by Vice Prime Minister Francisco Kalbuadi Lay, also Minister Coordinator for Economic Affairs, and follows months of work between government officials and the Inspectorate General of Gaming (IGJ) to shape a regulatory framework aligned with global standards. With this foundation, Timor-Leste aims to position itself as a competitive, compliant, and secure destination for offshore gaming operators.
“This is more than just a license,” said GRU CEO Datuk Harry Ng. “It’s a platform for national growth and a signal that Timor-Leste is ready to engage with the global digital economy.”
Under the agreement, GRU will operate under the oversight of the IGJ, with a focus on responsible governance, digital transparency, and compliance. The framework sets the tone for what officials hope will be a new era of tech-driven investment and employment, as well as a catalyst for the country’s evolving tourism and services sectors.
The concession builds on groundwork laid by GRU’s prior partnership with the State Government of Oecusse, where it plans to develop the TOGOS Hub, a centralized offshore gaming operations center. The project is expected to bring new infrastructure, skilled jobs, and foreign capital into the country.
In parallel, GRU’s parent company, Grand Dragon Lotaria (GDLotto), is relocating key support divisions, including R&D and customer service, from Cambodia and the Philippines to Timor-Leste. The company, already licensed in multiple jurisdictions including Cambodia and Nigeria, aims to demonstrate the country’s potential to host and support international-scale operations.
