Sri Lanka launches unified gambling regulator with new fees and taxes
Table of contents
- Sri Lanka establishes the Gambling Regulatory Authority to oversee all gambling activities from 1 December 2025.
- Casino entry fees for locals double to $100; gross gambling revenue tax raised from 15% to 18%.
- The regulator replaces fragmented laws and aims to strengthen oversight and support economic growth.
Sri Lanka is set to launch its new Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA) on 1 December 2025, a unified body to regulate the country’s entire gambling sector. The country introduces higher fees and taxes on gambling, reflecting the government’s efforts to improve oversight and grow the industry responsibly.
This development follows the passage of the Gambling Regulatory Authority Act, which replaces earlier fragmented laws and empowers the GRA to license operators, ensure compliance, and enforce social responsibility.
Gambling regulatory overhaul
The GRA Act repeals multiple outdated laws, including the Horse Racing Betting Ordinance and the Casino Business Act. It consolidates regulation under a single authority with a board comprising senior government officials such as the Secretary to the Ministry of Finance and the Inspector General of Police.
Local casinos, including Bally’s, Bellagio, Casino Marina, and Stardust, which operated under provisional licensing since 2013, must now fully comply with the new legal framework.
New fees and tax rates
Financial measures accompanying the launch include doubling the casino entry fee for Sri Lankan citizens from $50 to $100 and raising the tax on gross gambling revenue from 15% to 18%. These changes were approved by the cabinet to increase government revenues and enhance responsible gambling management.
Deputy Economic Development Minister Anil Jayantha Fernando commented in the Parliament:
“The regulator will ensure that casinos operate according to rules and concerns about money laundering is also addressed.”
The creation of the GRA aims to reduce illegal gambling, improve transparency, and better protect players.
What’s next
Some industry experts have questioned the regulator’s independence and political influence. Nevertheless, the new authority modernises Sri Lanka’s gambling laws and supports ambitions to develop the casino industry and tourism.
The GRA’s launch coincides with the SiGMA South Asia iGaming event in Colombo from 30 November to 2 December 2025, where its role will be under scrutiny.
The GRA’s establishment will shape market dynamics and regulatory cooperation, affecting operators, investors, and regional oversight in the near future.
About the author
Bianca Máthe
Bianca Mathe joined the iGaming industry in 2018 and has since built extensive experience across multiple verticals, working with international gaming organizations on editorial, marketing, and media strategy. She brings a strong understanding of the regulatory, commercial, and technological forces shaping the global iGaming sector.
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