Sri Lanka Gambles on the Casino Industry: Targeting Chinese and Indian Tourists, Can Casinos Revitalize the Economy?

Sri Lanka is pinning its future on the gambling industry, attempting to attract high-end tourists from China and India with casinos in exchange for the urgently needed foreign exchange income. At the beginning of this month, President Disanayake personally inaugurated the $1.2 billion "Studio City S

"Casinos are now part of the recovery roadmap": Sri Lanka's high-risk economic gamble!

Casinos to the Rescue? Sri Lanka's High-Risk Economic Gamble Post-Crisis

Sri Lanka becomes a hotbed of cybercrime, with various types of fraud rapidly emerging.

With the legalization of gambling and the acceleration of digitalization, Sri Lanka has unexpectedly become a "new paradise" for cybercriminals.Kaspersky's latest report shows that the country has seen a sharp increase in the number of malware and phishing attacks, with the financial sector particul

In-depth Analysis: Sri Lanka's Casino Regulatory Authority Bill Passed by Parliament, New Clauses Spark Debate

Sri Lanka's gambling industry welcomes historic changes. Recently, the Sri Lankan Parliament officially passed the second reading of the "Gambling Regulatory Authority Act," which is scheduled to take effect after being signed by the Speaker of the Parliament. This means that the country's gambling

Has Sri Lanka become a new hub for telecom fraud? The legalization of gambling conceals hidden gray risks.

This year, as China and several Southeast Asian countries continue to intensify their crackdown on transnational telecom fraud, numerous scam dens hidden in parks have been uprooted, and involved Chinese citizens are constantly being repatriated. At the same time, the relevant countries have begun a

Sri Lankan lawmakers call for stronger online gambling regulation to address the risk of online addiction.

Sri Lanka—During the recent parliamentary debate on the second reading of the "Gambling Regulatory Authority Bill," NDF member Faisal Mustafa urged the government to establish strict online gambling regulations to address the risks of addiction brought by online gambling. He pointed out that while p

Sri Lanka approves the establishment of a Gambling Regulatory Authority to strengthen the regulation of the gambling industry and promote the development of tourism.

According to the "Sri Lanka Mirror", the Committee on Public Finance (CoPF) in Sri Lanka has approved the bill to establish the Gambling Regulatory Authority, paving the way for the country to set up an independent gambling regulatory body. The meeting was chaired by parliamentarian Rauff Hakeem, ac

India's Macau? In-depth Analysis of Sri Lanka's Casino Gambling Industry and the Transformation Path of "City of Dreams"

In August 2025, the gambling giant made a striking statement at the launch ceremony of the luxury project "City of Dreams" in Sri Lanka: Sri Lanka will become the "Macau" of the Indian subcontinent, bringing unprecedented economic transformation. He predicted that Sri Lanka's annual gambling revenue

Sri Lanka's delay in casino regulatory legislation sparks controversy, parliament criticizes the Ministry of Finance and the Attorney General for negligence.

According to the "Island Report", the Committee on Public Finance (CoPF) in Sri Lanka criticized the Ministry of Finance and the Attorney General's Office for their prolonged delay in drafting the "Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA) Act", leading to lagging industry regulation. CoPF stated that the

Sri Lanka plans to establish a Gambling Regulatory Authority to promote the standardization and economic growth of the casino industry.

Sri Lanka's Parliamentary Public Finance Committee has endorsed the bill to establish the "Gambling Regulatory Authority," paving the way for its legislation. This agency will operate independently, unify the management of gambling venues nationwide, enhance tax collection and transparent governance

Casino boost + cultural event, Sri Lanka's tourist numbers soar to historic highs in August

Sri Lanka's tourism industry experienced strong growth in August, with a 20% surge in inbound tourists compared to the same period last year, reaching a new high of over 1.4 million cumulative visitors. Data shows that from August 1 to 5, a total of 40,047 visitors were received, averaging over 8,00

The gambling industry in Sri Lanka is expanding savagely: lack of regulation, Studio City secures a 20-year license.

The casino industry in Sri Lanka is experiencing rampant growth, while the regulatory system has been absent for a long time. The Committee on Public Finance (CoPF) recently publicly criticized the Ministry of Finance and the Attorney General's Office for delaying the drafting of the "Gambling Regul

New Ho spends 1.2 billion USD to build Sri Lanka's "South Asian Gambling Capital"; the casino officially opens.

Hong Kong casino resort giant Melco Resorts & Entertainment grandly opened in Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka, marking its first foray into the South Asian market.The project, jointly developed by Melco and Sri Lankan local enterprise John Keells Holdings, has a total investment of up to 1.2 billi

"The City of Dreams" opening soon: Sri Lanka creates a new gambling hub in Asia, attracting gamblers and the shadow economy.

Sri Lanka's first large-scale casino resort "City of Dreams" will have its grand opening on August 2 in the capital Colombo, attracting over 400 gamblers from India, Thailand, the Philippines, Macau, and other regions to participate in the launch ceremony. The project is jointly developed by Nuwa Ho

Sri Lanka's Dream City grand opening attracts over 400 Asian gamblers.

South Asia's first integrated resort "City of Dreams" is set to have a grand opening in Colombo, expecting to welcome over 400 gamblers from across Asia. The project, a collaboration between Nuwa Hotels Group and international gaming giant Melco Resorts & Entertainment, is scheduled for a grand laun