The Sri Lankan government has set a date for the establishment and launch of the Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA). It also plans to draw on foreign expertise to develop a new legal and regulatory framework for the country’s gaming industry.
According to Newswire, the Committee on Public Finance (COPF), together with the Ministry of Finance and the Department of Inland Revenue, has set June 30, 2026, as the launch date for the GRA.
The report states that 60% to 70% of Sri Lankan players now prefer online casinos, while only 30%–40% regularly visit land-based casinos. Currently, six land-based casino licenses have been issued in the country, while online casinos remain unregistered and untaxed. At the same time, there is no system in place for collecting taxes from online casinos.
COPF Chairman Dr. Harsha de Silva noted that the progress in establishing the GRA will be reviewed next year by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). The FATF will assess compliance with anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing standards, which is expected to help formalize casino operations and improve tax administration.
It was also proposed to involve foreign experts in developing the new authority’s regulatory framework. Applications have already opened for candidates to join a seven-member board that will oversee the GRA, after which a Chief Executive Officer will be appointed to lead its operations.
The law establishing the GRA was passed by the Sri Lankan Parliament in August and approved by Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne last month.
“This Act is to provide for the establishment of the Gambling Regulatory Authority; for the repeal of the Betting on Horse-Racing Ordinance (Chapter 44), Gaming Ordinance (Chapter 46) and the Casino Business (Regulation) Act, No. 17 of 2010; and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto,” stated the Sri Lankan parliament in a press release.
“This Act provides for the establishment of the Gaming Regulatory Authority as a single regulatory body for gaming operations, to regulate the gaming industry in Sri Lanka.
“The proposed Authority will act as an independent regulator with a broad scope and responsibility to issue legally enforceable social responsibility codes in relation to online and offshore gaming operations on board ships and in the Port City of Colombo.”
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