Sri Lanka to Establish Gambling Regulator

The Cabinet of Ministers of Sri Lanka has approved the establishment of a new regulatory body for the gambling industry. The Gambling Regulatory Authority will oversee the sector, revenue collection, and the overall development trajectory of this industry in the country.
Ministers voted in favor of the bill presented by the President earlier this week, which not only emphasizes the creation of a regulatory authority but also sets forth rules for the industry.
According to the proposed legislation, a comprehensive framework will be established around gambling, aimed at ensuring taxation, minimizing harm, and curbing illegal activities. However, not all provisions of the law are clearly defined at this stage. For instance, the duration of the license required for gaming companies to operate legally in the country has yet to be finalized. Reports suggest that this license could be valid for up to 20 years.
In terms of taxation, casinos will be required to pay 40% of their total profits. Additionally, the initial licensing fee has been set at $1.3 million (approximately 111.8 million rubles).
Currently, four casinos are operating in Sri Lanka: Bally’s Colombo, Bellagio Colombo, Marina Colombo, and MGM Colombo. Another casino is set to open in August on the second floor of the Colombo Lotus Tower. The new regulations will impact the operations of all these establishments, as Sri Lanka aims to attract more projects to the sector.
Debates regarding the creation of a regulatory body for the gambling market began in the country last year. At that time, it was also decided to issue licenses to the four existing casinos to enhance tax collection efficiency.
In a related note, a British man has won the Health Lottery for the second time in seven years and plans to donate the winnings to charitable causes.