Sri Lankan Parliament Calls for Urgent Legalization of Online Casinos

^{Photo: Harsha de Silva}

Sri Lanka’s Committee on Public Finance, chaired by Dr. Harsha de Silva, has issued a strong call for the immediate legalization and regulation of the country’s online casino industry, according to The Island Online.

De Silva argues that the current gambling legislation, which effectively bans online casinos, is outdated and ineffective. Offshore gambling operators continue to operate openly, depriving Sri Lanka of significant revenue, he stated.

The parliamentary committee has sent an official letter to Sri Lanka’s Minister of Finance advocating for the legalization of online casinos and the establishment of a dedicated Casino Regulator.

Representatives from the Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank, present at the parliamentary session discussing online casino operations, agreed that the creation of a regulatory body would effectively address many current issues within the gambling sector.

The Committee on Public Finance emphasized the urgent need for a law to create a regulatory authority, highlighting its importance in attracting foreign investment and boosting the national budget through revenue generated from the online casino industry.

While Sri Lanka currently allows for the legal operation of land-based casinos, the government has previously discussed the possibility of turning one of the country’s islands into a casino resort similar to Macau.