The government of Sri Lanka has clarified that a previously proposed $50 casino entry fee would only apply to nationals, Finance Minister said.
This means that the international visitors would not be required to pay the levy in order to be admitted to the nation’s casinos.
Sri Lankan lawmakers also presented a plan for a drastic increase in the annual license fee casino operators are required to pay. Seeking additional revenue for the nation’s coffers, the government has decided to double that fee, looking forward to earning up to LKR400 million approx. $2.2 million dollars. The proposal was tacked onto the country’s budget for the next fiscal year.
In addition, casino owners will also be obligated to pay a 15% tax on their full-year gambling turnover, the new tax took effect on April 1.
Sri Lanka’s Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera clarified last week that the proposed $50 entry fee would only apply to nationals and residents of the tiny South Asian island nation. The purpose of the levy would be to discourage locals from gambling at casinos.
The adoption of the new framework was a prerequisite under Sri Lanka’s anti-money laundering law
