Sri Lanka blocks 24 unlicensed online gambling and betting sites

Sri Lankan authorities have ordered telecommunications providers to block access to 24 online gambling and betting platforms accused of operating without local licences, marking one of the first major enforcement actions under the country’s new gambling regulatory regime.

Sri Lanka has blocked access to 24 online gambling and betting websites that authorities say were providing services in the country without valid local licences. The action was initiated by the Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA), after which the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL) instructed telecom service providers to restrict access with immediate effect.

The initial list includes several internationally known gambling brands and domains, including 1xBet, Betway, 22Bet, Melbet, Unibet, Betfair, Dafabet, Bet365, BC.Game, Stake, Mostbet and Parimatch, alongside a number of other betting and casino platforms. The Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development said the sites had not obtained the licences required to serve the Sri Lankan market.

The restrictions are being enforced under the Gambling Regulatory Authority Act No. 17 of 2025, which was endorsed in September 2025 and came into operation on December 1 of that year. The legislation created a unified regulatory framework covering gambling activities, including digital gambling, and established licensing requirements for operators active in the country.

According to the Finance Ministry, operating or promoting online gambling without the licences required under Sections 15, 16 and 18 of the Act constitutes an offence under Section 44. Authorities have also warned the public against participating in or investing money through unauthorised platforms, citing the financial risks associated with operators outside the regulated system.

The blocking order reflects the government’s wider effort to move gambling supervision under a single dedicated regulator. When the creation of the GRA was proposed, the government said the authority would oversee both conventional gambling and newer forms of activity, including online gambling and offshore gambling connected with ships and the Colombo Port City.

The enforcement campaign has already expanded beyond the original 24 websites. On August 7, the Digital Economy Ministry said a further 98 online betting sites had been added to the blocking list, only two days after the first action. This brings the number targeted in the latest enforcement wave to 122 websites, according to the ministry’s reported figures.

Authorities have nevertheless acknowledged an important practical challenge: website blocking can restrict ordinary access but does not necessarily eliminate the availability of offshore platforms, as users may attempt to bypass restrictions through VPN services or operators may change domains. The next stage of Sri Lanka’s regulatory strategy is therefore likely to depend not only on internet blocking but also on enforcement against advertising, payments and other channels used by unlicensed operators to reach local customers.

The action represents a significant step in the implementation of Sri Lanka’s new gambling regime. By moving quickly against internationally accessible platforms that lack domestic authorisation, the GRA is signalling that offshore operators will be expected to comply with local licensing rules if they want to participate in the market. Continued enforcement will determine whether the new framework can create a clear separation between licensed gambling businesses and the unregulated online sector.