Sri Lanka’s Committee on Public Finance (COPF) is said to have lifted restrictions imposed on the importation of gaming machines during the recent economic crisis.
According to local media reports, casino equipment is among a range of products listed for import clearance by the COPF as part of its mandate to drive revenue growth. Restrictions had been imposed under Sri Lanka’s Casino Business Regulation Act No. 17 of 2010 but will now be reversed.
“The government wanted to explore how this could generate revenue,” said COPF member and former finance minister, Ravi Karunanayake. “Our role was to evaluate its financial benefits, not its social implications. That’s why we approved it.”
COPF Chairman Dr Harsha de Silva added, “With the concurrence of the committee, I instructed that a special system be introduced to monitor each casino machine brought into the country.”
The lifting of import restrictions follows Sri Lanka’s efforts to establish a formal regulatory body under the new Gambling Regulatory Authority Bill 2025, currently being reviewed by parliament.
The regulator is seen as a vital tool in ensuring better oversight of the country’s casino sector including a proper mechanism for the collection of gaming taxes.
It also comes at a time when the industry is expanding into the integrated resort realm courtesy of a partnership between developer John Keells Holdings and casino operator Melco Resorts & Entertainment. Melco is scheduled to open City of Dreams Sri Lanka at Cinnamon Life in Colombo in August.
Another new casino has been slated to open inside Colombo’s Lotus Tower.
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