TLDR Sri Lanka has pushed back the launch of its new national gambling regulator past the original June target. The Gambling Regulatory Authority Act took effect on December 1, 2025, creating one body to oversee casinos and betting. Officials are consulting international experts to refine licensing, anti-money laundering, and responsible gambling rules. The government raised casino entry fees for citizens to $100 and increased the gambling tax rate from 15% to 18%. The delay comes as Sri Lanka’s casino sector grows, highlighted by the opening of City of Dreams Sri Lanka last year.
Sri Lanka has delayed the launch of its new national gambling regulator. The rollout was expected in June, but authorities are taking more time to review the framework.
The delay was reported by local media outlets, including The Morning. They said officials want extra expert input before the system goes live.
The new regulator is called the Gambling Regulatory Authority. It was created under a law passed on December 1, 2025.
The Act combined oversight of casinos, gambling, and online betting into one body. Before this, several separate government departments handled the job.
Building A Stronger Framework
According to The Morning, the extra time is meant to make the regulator’s structure stronger before it starts operating. The law itself is already in force, but the operating rules are still being finished.
The Morning Telegraph reported that officials are consulting international experts. These specialists have experience with gambling regulation in other countries.
The consultations are focused on a few key areas. These include anti-money laundering controls, responsible gambling rules, and licensing standards.
Those three areas are expected to form the core of how the new authority works. Officials want the rules in place before the regulator fully launches.
The government has also flagged concerns about