Sri Lanka’s Cabinet has approved a bill aimed at establishing a regulatory body to oversee online gaming, floating casinos, and offshore casinos in the Colombo Port City, according to an official government statement.
The proposed agency will also be responsible for regulating existing onshore casinos, Cabinet Spokesman Minister Nalinda Jayatissa confirmed today (22) at cabinet briefing.
The bill, presented by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in his capacity as Minister of Finance and Planning, has been cleared for publication in the government gazette and will be submitted to Parliament for debate and approval.
Currently, Sri Lanka’s casinos operate without a formal regulatory authority, though certain rules—such as licensing and entrance fees—have been introduced through gazette notifications.
International gaming operator Melco is also expected to enter the local market, with plans to open a casino at the City of Dreams project, developed by John Keells Holdings in the Port City area.
