Legislation

Sri Lanka Advances Gambling and Junket Regulation Bill Before Melco Casino Launch

Friday 20 de June 2025 / 12:00

⏱ 1 min read

(Sri Lanka).- The country Tightens Gambling Laws Ahead of Melco Resort Debut. The Gambling Regulatory Authority has provisions to regulate physical and online casinos.

Sri Lanka Advances Gambling and Junket Regulation Bill Before Melco Casino Launch

 Sri Lanka has tabled a bill to set up a gambling regulatory authority, as the first international casino operator gets ready to open operations at the City of Dreams in Colombo, the first integrated resort project in South Asia.

The Gambling Regulatory Authority has provisions to regulate physical and online casinos.

According to the draft bill published, the agency will also license junket operators. Junket operators bring in high rollers for a share of profits of the casinos.

“The bill has been prepared by examining practices in other countries, not only in Singapore, but other jurisdictions,” Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning Harshana Suriyapperuma told parliament Friday.

“This has been promised for a long time, but the current administration has finally done it.”

Melco Resorts & Entertainment Limited is expected to open its casino in Colombo in August, its local partner John Keells Holdings told shareholders in the latest annual report.

Sri Lanka has issued several regulation on gaming, including license fees under an existing law. There are also some domestic casinos operating for many years, under various local government authority.

In May Sri Lanka has also relaxed an import restriction on gaming equipment to allow them to be imported to the country, Minister Suriyapperuma said.

Some sports equipment used in tourist facilities are also allowed in, he said. (Colombo/June20/2025)

Categoría:Legislation

Tags: Sin tags

País: Sri Lanka

Región: Asia

Event

BiS SiGMA South America 2026

06 de April 2026

Viviana David Discusses IGT PlayDigital's LATAM Growth Strategy

(São Paulo, SoloAzar Exclusive).- At SIGMA São Paulo, Viviana David, Head of Commercial LATAM at IGT PlayDigital, shared insights on the company’s vision for Brazil and the wider Latin American market. In this interview, she discusses the opportunities driving IGT’s participation, the business connections forged, and how innovative digital solutions are shaping the future of iGaming across the region.

Monday 18 May 2026 / 12:00

Fast Track Showcases AI-Powered CRM Innovation at BIS Sigma South America 2026

(São Paulo, SoloAzar Exclusive).- At the recent BIS Sigma Edition, Fast Track highlighted how its AI-driven CRM solutions are reshaping operator strategies in Brazil’s newly regulated iGaming market. Muriel Le Senechal, Regional Commercial Manager for LatAm, shared insights on the industry’s shift from acquisition to retention, emphasizing the role of automation, personalization, and real-time engagement in driving sustainable growth.

Tuesday 12 May 2026 / 12:00

Pay4Fun’s Leonardo Baptista on BiS SiGMA South America 2026: Regulation, Market Maturity and Brazil’s Expanding Opportunities

(São Paulo, SoloAzar Exclusive).-In this interview at BiS SiGMA South America 2026, Leonardo Baptista, CEO and co-founder of Pay4Fun, shares insights on the event’s strategic importance for the Latin American gaming industry. He highlights the growing maturity of regulatory discussions, the increasing focus on compliance and sustainability, and the expanding opportunities in Brazil—one of the most promising regulated markets globally.

Thursday 07 May 2026 / 12:00

SUSCRIBIRSE

Para suscribirse a nuestro newsletter, complete sus datos

Reciba todo el contenido más reciente en su correo electrónico varias veces al mes.