Timor-Leste Grants First Gaming License in Oecusse: $1 Billion Investment to Establish Southeast Asia’s New Gaming Hub

In April 2025, Golden River Universe Lda (GRU) signed a national concession agreement with the Government of Timor-Leste, represented by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economic Coordination, Francisco Kalbuadi Lay. GRU has become the country’s first licensed offshore online gaming operator. The license authorizes GRU to develop an integrated resort and gaming project in the Oecusse Special Economic Zone (ZEESM), marking Timor-Leste’s formal entry into the global gaming industry.

The total investment for the project is estimated at USD 1 billion*, drawing participation from major investors across Malaysia, the Philippines, and Timor-Leste. The initiative is expected to serve as a key driver in diversifying Timor-Leste’s economy beyond its traditional reliance on oil and gas.

Strategic Partnership Between International Capital and Local Enterprises

This landmark development is backed by leading financial institutions and industry players, including the Malaysian Development Bank and a major Philippine gaming conglomerate. Their involvement brings extensive operational experience and access to an established international clientele. In parallel, Timor-Leste’s local company CMC plays a significant role as a shareholder, ensuring the project is closely integrated with the domestic economy and creates local value.

Oecusse Integrated Resort: A New Model Combining Gaming and TourismThe licensed project—Oecusse Integrated Resort—will feature a high-end casino, luxury hotel, convention center, and a range of entertainment facilities. Targeting both Southeast Asian and global travelers, the resort aims to position Oecusse as a new destination in gaming tourism. Oecusse’s duty-free status and investor-friendly regulatory environment make it a highly attractive location for such development. The government sees this project as a catalyst to boost tourism, generate employment, and reduce dependence on oil revenues.

Gaming Industry as a New Pillar of Economic Growth

Timor-Leste has long relied on oil and gas exports as its primary revenue source. However, declining reserves have forced the government to explore new engines of growth. The introduction of a regulated gaming industry is expected to attract substantial foreign investment, increase tax revenues, and stimulate infrastructure development. With the issuance of this first gaming license, the government has opened the door for legal foreign-owned gaming operations in Timor-Leste. Over the next few years, this sector is anticipated to play a significant role in the country’s economic takeoff.

Outlook

If the Oecusse project proves successful, Timor-Leste could follow in the footsteps of Cambodia and the Philippines by establishing itself as a new player in Southeast Asia’s gaming market. The development is also expected to accelerate infrastructure upgrades in the Oecusse region and support the broader economic transformation of Timor-Leste.

Watch the project introduction video here: Facebook Video