Live Casinos Sri Lanka

Currently, online gambling in Sri Lanka is in a bit of a grey area. Most laws and regulations concerning gambling are decades old and fail to account for gaming over the internet.

However, it is completely legal for Sri Lankan players to gamble in online casinos. You cannot be fined, sanctioned, or run into any other trouble by using these sites. This includes offshore casinos that are operated by companies registered outside of Sri Lanka.

However, it should be noted that the legal gambling age in Sri Lanka is 21.

You should also note that using offshore sites still has some risks. For example, should you need to take legal action, your options would be limited. That’s why it’s important to only register at safe, reputable casinos that are licensed by respected regulators such as the United Kingdom Gambling Commission or the Malta Gaming Authority.

Gambling Laws & Regulations

Currently, gambling in the country is regulated only in limited forms, primarily at designated casinos such as Bally’s in Colombo and on horse racing events like those held at the Royal Turf Club in Nuwara Eliya.

Gambling in Sri Lanka is governed by the Gaming Ordinance, No. 17 of 1889 (as amended), Casino Business (Regulation) Act, No. 17 of 2010, and the Betting and Gaming Levy, No. 40 of 1983 (as amended).

Even though the Act regulating casinos was certified on 17th December 2010, no actual regulations were issued under the Act, which made it ineffective. The operation of casinos remained unregulated until August 2022, when the first requirements and regulations for casinos were published.

The Casino Business Licensing Regulation No. 1 of 2022 initially set out a comprehensive licensing requirement. These requirements ensure that all gambling meets the laws’ standards for safety and fairness by outlining legal forms of gambling (as opposed to unlawful ones). Additionally, license holders are required to ensure all customers are 21 or over, maintain strict bookkeeping practices to prevent money laundering, and ensure other customer protections.

As of 2025, the Sri Lankan parliament is currently in the process of adopting new legislation, which is set to overhaul the country’s outdated laws. The bill aims to establish a centalized regulatory body, outline new licensing requirements and processes, and update the patchwork of regulations with a single framework intended to improve oversight, enhance revenue collection, and clamp down on illegal gambling operations.

Licensing Authorities

The current gambling laws are enforced by the Ministry of Home Affairs, which is also responsible for issuing licenses to land-based casinos and gambling venues.

However, the 2025 bill aims to establish a centralized Gambling Regulatory Authority that will serve as the primary regulatory body for the country’s betting and gaming sector. The Authority is expected to have jurisdiction over all forms of gambling, including online casinos and live dealer tables.

The Gambling Regulatory Authority will be tasked with overseeing all legal gambling activity, enforcing compliance among operators, and addressing taxes and revenue generation.

We’ll make sure to update this section if and when the Authority is established.

Key points about live online casinos in Sri Lanka

• Sri Lanka is considered an emerging market by many giants of the gambling industry. Although many companies focus on India due it its bigger population, the Sri Lankan market holds a lot of potential.
• The new laws and regulations are also expected to make the local market even more attractive to international companies, so we might see a boom in the next few years.
• However, the upcoming bill also proposes an increase in gaming tax and casino admission fees, which mars its popularity among both players and operators.
• Mobile betting is another important part of catering to Sri Lankan audiences. Mobile live casinos in Sri Lanka are actually more popular than their desktop counterparts because most players use their phones rather than desktop computers.
• Land-based casinos in Sri Lanka are obligated to charge hefty admission fees to locals, but not foreigners. This has contributed to the limited popularity of casino gaming in the country, and it’s why most casino-goers tend to be tourists.
• The capital of Colombo is by far the biggest hub of gambling in the country, boasting more than 5 major casinos and dozens of smaller venues. That said, many of these cater to tourists rather than locals.