Sri Lanka intensified its crackdown on unlicensed online gambling in August 2026, ordering the blocking of 122 betting websites in less than a week while new reports pointed to the arrival of former Philippine offshore gaming operators and foreign workers linked to online gaming activity.
On August 6, authorities moved against 24 major platforms, including 1xBet, Betway, 22Bet, Melbet, Unibet, Betfair, Dafabet, Bet365, 1Win, Spinbetter, 10Cric, BC.Game, Megapari, Pin-Up, Stake, Mostbet, Parimatch, Betwinner, Linebet, 4rabet, Rajabets, DBBet, Coldbet and WinWin. A day later, 98 additional sites were added to the blocking orders.
Eranga Weeraratne
The enforcement process involves the Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA), the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL) and the Ministry of Digital Economy. The TRCSL, chaired by Waruna Sri Dhanapala, instructed telecom providers to restrict access. Eranga Weeraratne, Deputy Minister of Digital Economy, has confirmed that the new gambling framework applies across Sri Lanka, including Colombo Port City.
The legal basis is the Gambling Regulatory Authority Act No. 17 of 2025, approved by Parliament on August 19, 2025 and certified on September 3, 2025. The law replaces the previous fragmented regime and gives the GRA powers to license, inspect, investigate, suspend and cancel operators, including online businesses. It also links gambling supervision with AML rules under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act No. 5 of 2006 and the Financial Transactions Reporting Act No. 6 of 2006.
The escalation comes as new reporting indicates that former Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) and workers from China, the Philippines, Vietnam and Cambodia are shifting activity toward Sri Lanka, including Colombo Port City and local BPO structures. Recruitment offers reportedly range from US$1,200 to US$2,000 per month. Sri Lankan authorities have also detained more than 1,000 foreign nationals in 2026 during raids linked to online gaming and cybercrime, although officials have not said that all were connected to POGO operations.
