Sri Lanka’s Gambling Regulatory Authority Act, No. 17 of 2025, will officially come into force on December 1st, following a gazette notification issued by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
The enactment establishes a single, independent regulator to oversee all gaming activity in the country and marks a major restructuring of the nation’s gambling legal framework.
The Act enables the creation of the Gambling Regulatory Authority, which will assume oversight of casinos, online gaming, offshore gaming operations, and betting activities, including those onboard ships and within the Port City of Colombo.
Once effective, the legislation repeals three long-standing laws: the Betting on Horse-Racing Ordinance, the Gaming Ordinance, and the Casino Business (Regulation) Act of 2010. Existing operators will be required to transition into compliance under the new regulator.
The implementation follows the unanimous passage of the original bill in Parliament in August, shortly after its approval by the Parliamentary Committee on Public Finance.
Lawmakers emphasized that the Authority is intended to standardize the sector, strengthen compliance—including anti-money laundering measures—and mitigate potential social harm while supporting tourism and economic growth.
The timing of the Act is significant, coinciding with major investment and renewed international attention on Sri Lanka’s gaming market.
In August, Melco fully opened the $1.2 billion City of Dreams Sri Lanka, the country’s largest private investment and the company’s first project in South Asia. Industry experts previously told AGB that Sri Lanka’s ambition to position itself as “India’s Macau” hinges on consistent regulation and effective governance, making the new Authority a foundational element for future development.
The Gambling Regulatory Authority is empowered to issue legally enforceable social responsibility codes, broadening its reach to both land-based and remote gaming activities. Authorities say this consolidated approach is aimed at improving transparency, boosting investor confidence, and supporting the long-term stability of the sector.
