Sri Lanka government publishes draft Gambling Regulatory Authority bill
The bill would create a new gambling regulator for Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka.- The draft bill to create a Sri Lanka Gambling Regulatory Authority has been published in the government gazette, taking it closer to a parliamentary vote. The Cabinet of Ministers approved the draft bill in April and the bill was published under the directive of president Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who is also minister of finance, planning, and economic development.
If approved, the Sri Lanka Gambling Regulatory Authority Act would alter the Horse Racing Betting Ordinance and Gambling Ordinance and repeal the Casino Ordinance, which are considered to be outdated.
The new regulator would oversee all gambling in Sri Lanka, including online gambling and activities at sea and in the Colombo Port City, a new area built by reclaiming land on the western edge of the capital. It would also be responsible for collecting taxes from the sector and preventing illegal gambling.
City of Dreams Sri Lanka saw a Phase I opening in Colombo October with 687 rooms, restaurants and entertainment venues, including ballrooms and event and conference facilities. Phase II, with a 113-key Nuwa Hotel and gaming operations, is expected to open in the third quarter of this year. Bluehaven Services, a subsidiary of Melco Resort, has a 20-year licence effective from April 1, 2024.
