Parliament passes Gambling Regulatory Authority Bill with amendments

Wednesday, 20 August 2025 12:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Parliament yesterday passed the Gambling Regulatory Authority Bill with amendments, paving the way for the creation of an independent body to oversee the country’s gambling sector.

The Second Reading Debate on the Bill was taken up in the House yesterday, following it’s gazetting in May under the directives of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, in his capacity as Finance, Planning and Economic Development Minister.

During the second reading yesterday, some of the Opposition lawmakers urged the Government to introduce stringent mechanisms to regulate online gambling to prevent people from getting addicted to this new gambling trend.

On 12 August, the Bill received the approval of the Committee on Public Finance (CoPF) after multiple rounds of discussion.

The legislation seeks to establish the Gambling Regulatory Authority, while repealing the Horse Racing Betting Ordinance, the Gambling Ordinance, and the Casino Ordinance, consolidating them under a single comprehensive framework. Once endorsed by the Speaker, the draft Bill will come into force as the Gambling Regulatory Authority Act.

The new Authority will be tasked with a broad mandate, including the collection of gambling-related revenue, ensuring transparency and good governance in the industry, curbing illegal gambling, and standardising betting and gaming establishments. It is also expected to play a role in minimising social harm, while supporting economic growth and the development of the tourism sector.