Sri Lanka’s new Gambling Regulatory Authority Act, No. 17 of 2025, will take effect on December 1, after being officially announced by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
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Sri Lanka increases casino entry fee for residents
From January 1, 2026, Sri Lanka doubled casino entry fees for gamblers who are residents of the country, increasing the price from $50 to $100.
Initially, the reforms were introduced in May 2025 and passed in December 2025, amending the Betting and Gaming Levy Act of 1988.
The Inland Revenue Department stated:
“All such operations shall collect a casino entry levy of $100 or its equivalent in any other convertible foreign currency or in Sri Lankan currency from a Sri Lankan citizen who enters into such a place of business.”
Sri Lanka’s gambling industry is projected to generate around $410 million in 2026; for comparison, the revenue was $240 million in 2020.
City of Dreams Sri Lanka, which opened in 2025 in Colombo, has the biggest potential for growth. The integrated resort is a collaboration between John Keells Holdings and Melco Resorts International.
Melco Chairman and CEO Lawrence Ho commented:
“City of Dreams is a symbol of possibility and a celebration of Sri Lanka’s potential as a world-class destination. Sri Lanka can be to India what Macau is to China.”
Back in 2022, during the economic crisis, the government budget was hit; now, the increased entry fees are aimed at refilling the funds. The year 2022 was also the first time in history that Sri Lanka declared bankruptcy.
John Keells Holdings PLC (JKH) and Melco Resorts & Entertainment (Melco) recently announced the grand opening of City of Dreams Sri Lanka on August 2, 2025.
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