Papua New Guinea's National Gaming Control Board has defended its efforts to protect the country's vulnerable from the pitfalls of gambling machines.
PNG's Catholic Bishops Conference says horse racing and poker gaming machines are very popular among low-income earners in PNG but that too many workers are losing their wages gambling on them.
It says gambling has become more of a social problem since 2007 when a new gaming law was passed, creating the Board to control gaming and promote awareness of problem gambling.
But the chief executive of the Board, Simon Sanagke, says they're well aware of the negative impact of gaming.
"Of course, gaming - like any other industry - when it was introduced, there were no proper measures taken into consideration, only the revenue bit. But as we go along, we've made a few amendments."
Measures the board has taken to protect lower wage earners from gaming include raising the minimum bet for pokie machines from five to fifteen kina.
The board is also making moves to regulate online gaming.
