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Sri Lankan authorities have ordered telecommunications providers to block access to 24 online gambling and betting websites operating without the required local licenses.

The move marks one of the country’s first major enforcement actions under its updated gambling regulatory framework and signals a tougher approach toward offshore operators targeting Sri Lankan players.

The Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL) instructed internet service providers to implement the restrictions immediately following a directive issued under the Gambling Regulatory Authority Act No. 17 of 2025.

Major International Betting Brands Among Blocked Sites

The list reportedly includes several major international gambling operators, including Stake, bet365, Betway and 1xBet.

Other affected platforms include Betfair, Unibet, Dafabet, 22Bet, Melbet, BC.Game, Parimatch, Mostbet, 1Win and BetWinner. Authorities said the websites were targeted because they offered gambling services to Sri Lankan users without obtaining the necessary approvals under the country’s new legal framework.

The action demonstrates that Sri Lanka’s new regulatory regime is not limited to local gambling businesses and could have a significant impact on international operators serving customers in the country.

New Licensing Framework Changes Sri Lankan Gambling Market

Sri Lanka’s Gambling Regulatory Authority Act came into effect on December 1, 2025, establishing a unified framework covering both land-based and online gambling.

The new system created the Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA) under the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development. Online gambling remains permitted, but operators must obtain the appropriate local authorization before offering their services to Sri Lankan customers.

The country has also increased the financial burden on licensed gambling businesses. From January 2026, the gross collection levy on betting and gaming businesses was raised from 15% to 18%, while the casino entry fee for local residents was doubled.

Authorities Target Offshore Gambling Infrastructure

The website blocking campaign is part of a broader effort to bring gambling activity under domestic supervision.

Authorities are increasingly focusing not only on gambling websites themselves but also on the financial infrastructure supporting offshore operators. Previous reports indicated that dozens of local payment channels were being used by international gambling platforms, potentially allowing significant betting activity to remain outside the country’s tax and regulatory system.

The government is therefore seeking greater control over licensing, payments, advertising and anti-money laundering compliance within the gambling sector.

What the New Rules Mean for Operators

For international sportsbooks and online casinos, the latest restrictions underline the importance of obtaining local authorization when targeting Sri Lankan customers.

Operators without the required licenses could face website blocking and other enforcement measures, while consumers have been advised to avoid unauthorized gambling platforms.

The development also highlights Sri Lanka’s broader shift from a relatively fragmented gambling environment toward a centralized regulatory model covering both physical casinos and online gambling.

Source: https://biz.adaderana.lk/%E0%B7%81%E0%B7%8A%E2%80%8D%E0%B6%BB%E0%B7%93-%E0%B6%BD%E0%B6%82%E0%B6%9A%E0%B7%8F%E0%B7%80-%E0%B6%AD%E0%B7%94%E0%B7%85-%E0%B6%9A%E0%B7%8A%E2%80%8D%E0%B6%BB%E0%B7%92%E0%B6%BA%E0%B7%8F%E0%B6%AD/