The Sri Lankan government will establish a Gambling Regularization Authority to regulate the country's gambling and sports industry. The cabinet has approved the proposal, and the draft legislation is complete and awaiting parliamentary review.

This new authority will oversee casinos, offshore gambling ships, and gambling activities within the Colombo Port City Special Economic Zone, as well as iGaming platforms. The draft bill has been reviewed and approved by the Attorney General and will soon be published in the Government Gazette before being debated in Parliament.

The Gambling Regulatory Authority will be responsible for:

- Approve gaming licenses
- Set and enforce operating rules
- Perform anti-money laundering (AML) and know your customer (KYC) checks
- Implement gaming restrictions, including self-exclusion and betting limits
- Conduct supervisory inspections and address violations

The Cabinet decision, made in February 2025, primarily addresses the rapid growth of iGaming and cross-border gambling operations. It marks a significant step toward building a modern gambling regulatory system.

Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, stated that the new authority aims to address regulatory loopholes, curb illegal gambling, and promote foreign investment and tourism development.

Government spokesperson Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said that the move addresses both current demands and prepares the country for digital and international trends.

Once passed, the Gambling Sports Regularisation Act will replace existing regulations and provide clear compliance guidelines for gambling operators.

TC-Gaming White Label will continue to monitor developments in Sri Lanka's gambling regulatory policies and provide you with the latest compliance updates and industry insights as soon as possible.