CoPF criticises delays in gambling regulator setup

The Committee on Public Finance (CoPF) has voiced strong criticism over prolonged delays in setting up Sri Lanka’s Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA), describing the latest draft of the GRA bill as inadequate.

The remarks come soon after the opening of the City of Dreams integrated resort, which was granted a 20 year casino license.

CoPF Chairman Dr. Harsha de Silva noted that both the previous Wickremesinghe-Rajapaksa administration and the current National People’s Power (NPP) government have repeatedly failed to act on recommendations to study successful international models, such as Singapore’s regulatory framework.

According to the committee, the Finance Ministry and Attorney General’s Department have also missed key deadlines linked to the GRA’s establishment. The Finance Ministry failed to allocate funding in September 2023 and March 2024, while the Attorney General’s Department took 15 months to complete its review of the bill.

The City of Dreams project, a joint venture between John Keells Holdings (JKH) and Melco Resorts & Entertainment Limited, received its license during Ranil Wickremesinghe’s presidency, despite the CoPF’s November 2022 request to halt new casino approvals until a regulatory authority was in place.

At present, Sri Lanka’s gambling industry operates under the Casino Business (Regulation) Act of 2010 and the Betting and Gaming Levy Act of 1988. More than a decade after the 2010 law’s passage, the government has yet to issue regulations on licensing and operational zones. Major operators, including Bally’s, Bellagio, Casino Marina, and Stardust, continue to operate on provisional registrations granted in 2013.

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