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2 December – On the opening day of SiGMA South Asia, Sri Lanka announced the official launch of its Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA), which begins operations today. The development comes as the country moves to establish a unified oversight body for all gaming and gambling activities.
The Gambling Regulatory Authority Bill—designed to create a single, independent regulator—was passed in Parliament on 19 August 2025 and certified by Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne on 3 September 2025, officially becoming Act No. 17 of 2025. Its introduction follows President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s unveiling of plans for the regulator just two months earlier, signaling a strong commitment to building a responsibly managed gaming industry.
Deputy Minister of Economic Development, Anil Jayantha Fernando, emphasized that responsible and safe gaming sits at the core of the new authority’s mission.
“The focus is on regulation. That regulation will
define which gambling activities are permitted, the restrictions that apply, and matters such as
the revocation or cancellation of licenses,”
he said.
The GRA aims to consolidate all existing gambling-related laws into one cohesive framework, replacing outdated legislation including the Betting on Horse Racing Ordinance, the Gaming Ordinance, and the 2010 Casino Business Act. The Deputy Minister noted that gambling in Sri Lanka carries “significant social and cultural implications,” with the regulator expected to assess its wider impact alongside economic factors.
Colombo, already home to several land-based casinos, continues to expand its entertainment landscape with the newly launched City of Dreams Sri Lanka. Serving as the venue for SiGMA South Asia, the integrated resort features a 16,725-square-metre gaming floor, a luxury hotel with 427 apartments and 800 rooms, and twenty restaurants and bars—including six specialty dining venues. A five-story shopping mall connected to the hotel further positions the property as a major hub for MICE tourism.
SiGMA’s Role in Driving Global Industry Growth
The alignment of SiGMA South Asia’s first day with the start of regulated iGaming in Sri Lanka underscores SiGMA’s long-standing role as a catalyst for sustainable market development. With eight global summits scheduled for next year across high-growth regions, SiGMA continues to support open dialogue around responsible regulation.
In his opening address, SiGMA Founder Eman Pulis highlighted the scale and opportunity represented by South Asia.
“They told us it cannot be done in Sri Lanka – but here we are – the first real gaming expo in the
region. It’s a booming market and between five countries a quarter of the world’s population is
thriving in gaming here. It fills us with joy to steer the industry, to bring them with us, so that we
can learn from each other and watch this industry grow sustainably.
We will not stop raising awareness that regulated gaming is the way to go.”
SiGMA South Asia is being held this week in Colombo at the integrated resort Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams. The event is expected to welcome 5,000 delegates, with over 1,000 exhibitors and sponsors and 100 speakers featured on its conference stage.
