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It is reported that the Ministry of Finance, Economic Stability and National Policy will establish a regulatory authority in relation to casinos and gambling this year (2023).
Accordingly, the sources of the Ministry’s legal department have stated that the “Casino Regulation Act No. 40 of 1988” and the “Betting and Gambling Tax Act No. 40 of 1988” are to be amended in order to strengthen the country’s economy.
Speaking to the media recently, the Minister of State for Finance, Mr. Ranjith Siambalapitiya, stated that all gambling, starting from the lottery, will be regulated by the regulatory authority, and plans are being made to increase the fee charged to gambling and casino business owners to $200.
According to reports, 9,037 people were admitted to casinos in the months of February, March, and April and May of this year, of which 5,381 were foreigners and 3,656 were locals.