Sri Lanka finance committee approves Gambling Regulatory Authority Bill
New body aims to regulate gaming industry and support tourism growth.
Key points:
– Committee on Public Finance approves Bill to establish Gambling Regulatory Authority
– Authority to regulate betting and gaming, reduce social harm and boost tourism
– The committee also passed measures on customs, excise duties and luxury vehicle tax
Sri Lanka’s Committee on Public Finance (CoPF) has endorsed the Bill to create the Gambling Regulatory Authority, paving the way for a new independent body to oversee the country’s gaming sector, Sri Lanka Mirror reported.
The decision was taken at a CoPF meeting on 12 August 2025, chaired by Member of Parliament Rauff Hakeem, who acted in place of Committee Chair Dr Harsha de Silva during his overseas visit. The Bill had previously been discussed on multiple occasions before receiving final approval.
The Gambling Regulatory Authority is expected to serve as the primary regulator for betting and gaming establishments across the country. Lawmakers have stressed that the framework aims not only to control the industry but also to maximise its potential benefits for Sri Lanka’s tourism sector and wider economy.
At the same meeting, the committee also approved several other financial measures. These included a resolution under the Customs Ordinance on import duties, an order under the Excise (Special Provisions) Act relating to excise duties, and a regulation under the Finance Act concerning luxury tax on motor vehicles. All three measures had been published in Extraordinary Gazettes dated 28 April 2025.
Good to know: The authority will have a broad mandate to standardise operations, minimise social harm, encourage tourism and support economic development
The session was attended by Deputy Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe and Members of Parliament Ravi Karunanayake, Dr Kaushalya Ariyaratne, Attorney-at-Law Lakmali Hemachandra and Nishantha Jayaweera.
The establishment of the Gambling Regulatory Authority represents a significant policy step, marking the first time Sri Lanka will have a centralised body dedicated to managing the gaming industry with both regulatory and developmental objectives.
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