Key points:
- Cabinet endorses creation of Gambling Regularization Authority
- Oversight to include onshore, offshore and online sports betting
- Legal clearance obtained from Attorney General
Sri Lanka’s Cabinet has given the green light to publish the draft Gambling Sports Regularization Bill in the government gazette, allowing it to be tabled in Parliament.
The move, proposed by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in his role as Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, marks a significant step in establishing oversight for the country’s growing gambling sector.
The legislation aims to create the Gambling Regularization Authority, a standalone body tasked with supervising betting activities linked to sport. The authority’s mandate would span gambling onshore, offshore betting on ships and activities in the Colombo Port City, as well as online platforms.
Speaking at the weekly Cabinet briefing, Cabinet Spokesman Dr Nalinda Jayatissa said the proposal followed a decision made in February to begin drafting legislation. The Attorney General has since granted clearance to the draft, confirming its legal soundness.
The new authority is expected to ensure responsible gambling practices and address growing concerns around unregulated betting. With the inclusion of offshore and online gambling under its remit, the government intends to reflect modern trends and close loopholes that may allow for exploitation.
Officials say the legislation is not only a response to rising domestic demand but also a move to prepare Sri Lanka’s regulatory framework for future developments, particularly in digital and cross-border gambling.
The bill is now set to be debated in Parliament, where further scrutiny will determine the final shape of the regulatory body and its role within the broader economic and legal landscape.
