Gambling Regulatory Authority Bill comes into effect

Thursday, 4 September 2025 05:49 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Parliament Secretariat yesterday said that Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne endorsed the certification on the Gambling Regulatory Authority Bill in accordance with Article 79 of the Constitution.

The Bill was passed with amendments following the Second Reading debate in Parliament on 19 August. Accordingly, the Bill will come into force as the Gambling Regulatory Authority Act, No. 17 of 2025.

The new Act establishes the Gambling Regulatory Authority and repeals and replaces the Betting on Horse-Racing Ordinance (Chapter 44), Gaming Ordinance (Chapter 46), and the Casino Business (Regulation) Act, No. 17 of 2010.

This Act provides for the establishment of the Gaming Regulatory Authority as a single regulatory body for gaming operations and to regulate the gaming industry in Sri Lanka, the Parliament Secretariat said.

It said the proposed Authority will act as an independent regulator with a broad scope and responsibility to issue legally enforceable social responsibility codes in relation to online and offshore gaming operations on board ships and in the Port City of Colombo.