Sri Lanka Bans 24 Betting Platforms, Including Bet365 and Stake.
Sri Lanka has initiated its first enforcement action under the new gambling legislation by instructing internet service providers (ISPs) to block access to 24 online gambling websites, including bet365.com, stake.com, betway.com, and 1xbet.com.
The Ministry of Digital Economy announced the directive on August 5, 2026. Acting on a request from the Gambling Regulatory Authority which operates under the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development. The Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL) ordered all telecommunications service providers to implement the block immediately. The Ministry clarified that operating or promoting online gambling services within Sri Lanka without a valid license issued under sections 15, 16, and 18 of the Gambling Regulatory Authority Act, No. 17 of 2025 constitutes an offense under section 44 of the Act.
The Blocked Sites
The list of blocked domains includes 1xbet.com, betway.com/en-lk, 22bet.com, melbet.com, unibet.com, betfair.com, dafabet.com, bet365.com, 1win.com, spinbetter.com, 10cric.com, bc.game. Megapari.com, pin-up.bet, stake.com, mostbet.com, parimatch.com, betwinner.com, linebet.com, 4rabet.com, rajabets.com, dbbet.com, coldbet.com, and WinWin.
This assortment features both European-licensed brands and operators tailored for South Asian audiences. Notably, the list includes Betfair, Unibet, and Bet365 alongside regional operators. These are10cric, 4rabet, and rajabets, which predominantly target cricket betting markets in India and Sri Lanka. Several domains also host country-specific landing pages; for example, Betway’s Sri Lankan site is accessible via betway.com/en-lk.
Neither the Ministry nor the GRA has publicly identified any operator as the subject of separate legal proceedings. Also they have not disclosed whether any of these sites have applied for a Sri Lankan license.
Legal Framework and Licensing
The Gambling Regulatory Authority Act, No. 17 of 2025, was certified by the Speaker on September 3, 2025. It came into effect on December 1, 2025. GRA was established as a statutory body, consolidating oversight previously divided among various ordinances. They include the Betting on Horse-Racing Ordinance, the Gaming Ordinance, and the Casino Business (Regulation) Act, No. 17 of 2010.
The Act broadly defines gambling to encompass remote betting, including “digital gambling”. Digital gambling covers interactive gaming, internet gambling, and mobile betting. The Minister of Finance holds the authority to expand the scope through official Orders published in the Gazette, under section 18.
Licensing Requirements
The licensing process involves three interconnected steps. Section 15 mandates that operators obtain a license from the Director-General. Also 16 stipulates that applicants must be entities incorporated or registered under the Companies Act, No. 7 of 2007.. Section 18 introduces specific licenses for digital gambling activities.
The licensing authority assesses the suitability of directors, senior managers, shareholders, key personnel, and beneficial owners before issuing licenses. Separate licenses are also required for software developers and distributors, as well as junket operators. For offshore operators, this framework necessitates establishing a Sri Lankan corporate presence and disclosure of ownership details prior to accessing the market. An approach akin to the licensing regimes seen in other newly regulated jurisdictions.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Under section 44, engaging in gambling without a valid license can result in fines of up to LKR 10 million. (approximately USD 33,000) or imprisonment for up to two years, or both. Advertising unauthorized gambling operations, financing illegal gambling, or operating from unregistered premises can attract fines of up to LKR 100,000 or a similar prison term. Additional fines of up to LKR 1 million may be levied depending on the severity and duration of the offense and the harm caused.
The law emphasizes that promotion of unlicensed sites, whether through advertising or affiliates is also criminalized, creating a broad scope for enforcement.
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Limitations of ISP Domain Blocking
Domain blocking at the ISP level remains the primary initial response. However, it is widely acknowledged that such measures have limitations: users can bypass restrictions via VPNs, mirror domains, or app-based clients, and operators often launch new domains faster than regulators can list them. Enforcement efforts may subsequently extend to payment processors and advertisers involved in illegal gambling activities.
This pattern of enforcement is consistent with other jurisdictions. For instance, in April 2026, Brazil ordered Anatel to block 27 prediction market platforms, while Spain took action against Kalshi and Polymarket in May, citing licensing issues. The scale of unregulated online gambling is significant; estimates from the Gambling Consultancy Index suggest that in 2025, unregulated platforms handled approximately USD 5.9 trillion in wagers.
Looking Ahead
The GRA has yet to publish a comprehensive list of licensed digital gambling operators. The Ministry of Digital Economy has cautioned the public against depositing funds with unlicensed entities operating outside the legal framework. Key questions moving forward include whether any of the 24 blocked brands will seek licensing instead of withdrawing from the market, whether the GRA will extend its list as new mirror domains emerge, and whether enforcement efforts will expand beyond ISPs to include payment processors and advertisers. The issuance of the first licenses under sections 15, 16, and 18 will be indicative of Sri Lanka’s approach to regulating the digital gambling industry.
