Sri Lanka has blocked 24 online gambling and betting websites operating without local licences, including Stake, bet365, Betway and 1xBet.
The Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL) directed all telecommunications service providers to restrict access to the websites with immediate effect, according to Sri Lankan outlet Ada Derana.
The action was announced by the Ministry of Digital Economy and the TRCSL under the country’s Gambling Regulatory Authority Act No. 17 of 2025.
Other affected platforms include Betfair, Unibet, Dafabet, 22Bet, Melbet, BC.Game, Parimatch, Mostbet, 1Win and BetWinner. Sri Lankan media published a complete list of all 24 websites.
The authorities urged the public to refrain from participating in or placing money with unauthorised online gambling platforms operating outside Sri Lanka’s legal framework.
Under sections 15, 16 and 18 of the act, gambling operators must hold a valid licence, while digital gambling requires a separate digital gambling licence.
The legislation also requires applicants to be incorporated or registered under Sri Lanka’s Companies Act. Advertising gambling conducted in breach of the act is also an offence.
The Gambling Regulatory Authority Act came into operation on 1st December 2025, creating a unified regulatory framework for land-based and digital gambling.
