Sri Lanka has restricted access to 24 online gambling and betting websites accused of operating without local licences, marking one of the first major enforcement actions under the country’s updated gambling regulatory framework.

The Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL) instructed all telecommunications service providers to block access to the identified platforms with immediate effect following a directive issued under the Gambling Regulatory Authority Act No. 17 of 2025.

The affected websites include several international betting and gaming operators such as Stake, bet365, Betway and 1xBet. Other platforms included in the restrictions are Betfair, Unibet, Dafabet, 22Bet, Melbet, BC.Game, Parimatch, Mostbet, 1Win and BetWinner.

Authorities said the websites were targeted because they offered gambling services to users in Sri Lanka without obtaining the required approvals under the country’s legal framework.

New Licensing Rules Drive Website Restrictions

Sri Lanka’s gambling legislation requires operators to secure valid licences before offering gambling services within the country. According to Asia Gaming Brief, citing Sri Lankan outlet Ada Derana, digital gambling activities require a separate digital gambling licence, while applicants must also be incorporated or registered under the Companies Act.

The law also prohibits advertising gambling services that operate in violation of the regulatory requirements.

The Gambling Regulatory Authority Act came into effect on 1 December 2025, establishing a unified system covering both land-based and online gambling activities. The Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA) was created to oversee the sector under the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development.

The government has stated that online gambling remains permitted in Sri Lanka, provided operators comply with licensing obligations. Companies offering services without authorisation may face penalties under the legislation, including Section 44, which addresses violations of the regulatory framework.

Following the blocking order, authorities advised consumers to avoid using unauthorised gambling platforms and warned against depositing funds with operators that do not hold local approval.

“All telecom service providers have been ordered to implement the ban with immediate effect,” the ministry said in a statement.

Authorities Expand Oversight Of Offshore Platforms

The restrictions represent a significant step in Sri Lanka’s efforts to bring offshore gambling activity under domestic supervision. The government has been working to strengthen oversight of casinos, betting services and online gambling through the newly established regulator.

The move comes as authorities seek greater control over gambling activity involving Sri Lankan users, including financial flows linked to offshore operators.

Previous reports indicated that more than 40 local payment channels were being used by offshore gambling platforms, while potential tax revenue remained outside government control. Regulations required for the GRA’s broader licensing and enforcement responsibilities were still being developed, with completion expected around October following expert review.

The first phase of the regulatory framework is expected to address licensing procedures, permitted gambling activities, online gambling requirements and anti-money laundering measures.

The latest action also follows delays in fully establishing the GRA. The regulator missed a parliamentary deadline of 30 June 2026 to begin complete operations, as recruitment for the Director General position and other senior appointments had not yet been completed.

Major International Brands Among Blocked Domains

The list of restricted websites includes some of the largest international names in online betting, as mentioned earlier.

The government also highlighted that consumers who continue to use offshore gambling websites could face legal consequences, as participation with unauthorised operators falls outside Sri Lanka’s approved market structure.

Despite the restrictions, access may still be possible through tools such as virtual private networks (VPNs), according to reports.

Information on Sri Lanka’s online gambling audience indicates that the market includes mainly working-age adults. Data from Blask showed that 55% of online gambling users are between 25 and 44 years old. Around half of players are employed full-time, while 20% are self-employed and 35% have a university education.

Traditional sports betting represents the most popular product category among users, accounting for 30% of activity, followed by bingo at 25% and lotteries at 20%. Social media and online search were identified as the main channels through which users discover gambling services.

The data also indicated that most players are classified as non-problem gamblers, representing 70% of users, while 5% fall into the problem gambling category.