Sri Lanka: Government Obtains Approval for Importing Casino Equipment

The Committee on Public Finance (COPF) have given the nod for the importation of casino machines, citing that the move will help Sri Lanka to earn revenue in the form of taxes. "The government wanted a ramification. We looked into how it could help earn revenue. Therefore, we have approved it,” Member of COPF Ravi Karunanayake said.   

“It is not our duty to assess the harmful effects of the move. We could only see how Casinos could help the government earn revenue. This is why the approval was given,” he added.   

It was earlier reported that the government has decided to lift the ban on the importation of casino gaming equipment. This decision has been taken to allow the import of these equipment to currently registered tourism promotion institutions and tourist facilities.   

Due to economic difficulties, the import of these equipment was banned in the past under the Casino Business Regulation Act No. 17 of 2010.  The casino business in Sri Lanka is regulated under the Betting and Gaming Levy Act No. 40 of 1988. The Casino Business (Regulation) Act No. 17 of 2010 introduced new provisions for the issuance and regulation of licences for casino activities. Although licences are required to be issued under this Act, the relevant regulations have not yet been fully implemented.   

Recently, in 2025, the Government of Sri Lanka introduced a new bill titled “Gambling Regulatory Authority Act, No. of 2025” to establish a Gambling Regulatory Authority. This Act aims to regulate all gambling activities, including physical and online casinos.

The main objectives here are to issue new licences, set regulatory standards, implement Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Know Your Customer (KYC) laws, promote responsible gambling and prevent illegal activities. COPF Chairman Harsha de Silva has been highlighting the need for a Gambling Regulatory Authority and effective collection of casino licence fees.