Sri Lanka Blocks 24 Unlicensed Gambling Websites

Sri Lanka Blocks 24 Unlicensed Gambling Websites – New 2025 Law Enforced Through ISP Restrictions

Key Takeaways

• Sri Lanka has blocked 24 online gambling websites accused of operating without a local license.
• The action was carried out under the Gambling Regulatory Authority Act of 2025.
• The law makes it illegal to provide gambling services in Sri Lanka without a license from the Gambling Regulatory Authority.
• Internet service providers implemented the blocks following directives from national authorities.
• The Ministry of Digital Economy and the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission warned the public against using unauthorized platforms.

Sri Lanka Enforces New Gambling Regulatory Framework

Sri Lanka has taken formal enforcement action against 24 online gambling websites that authorities say were serving players in the country without a local license. The blocks were announced on Thursday and implemented through local internet service providers.

The enforcement is based on the Gambling Regulatory Authority Act of 2025, which came into force in September of that year. The legislation established the Gambling Regulatory Authority, or GRA, as the national regulator responsible for overseeing gambling activities in Sri Lanka. Under the 2025 law, it is illegal to provide gambling services in the country without obtaining a local license issued by the GRA.

By ordering internet service providers to block access to specific domains, Sri Lankan authorities have moved from legislative framework to active enforcement. The measure targets websites that are accused of offering gambling services to Sri Lankan users without authorization under the new regime.

List of Blocked Gambling Websites

According to the official announcement, the following 24 websites are now blocked by Sri Lankan internet service providers:

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
WinWin

The list includes several internationally recognized betting and gambling brands. Authorities have not differentiated between sportsbook, casino, or other gambling verticals in the announcement. The common factor cited is the alleged provision of services in Sri Lanka without a locally issued license.

For users located in Sri Lanka, access to these domains is now restricted at the network level by domestic internet providers.

Government Warning to Players and Investors

In a statement issued following the blocking order, Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Digital Economy and the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission urged the public to refrain from participating in or investing money through unauthorized online gambling platforms.

The authorities stated that the affected websites operate in violation of Sri Lankan law. The warning extends beyond placing bets to any financial involvement with platforms that do not hold a valid license from the Gambling Regulatory Authority.

The coordinated statement from the Ministry and the telecommunications regulator indicates that enforcement is not limited to regulatory oversight but also involves technical and communications authorities. This approach combines legal prohibition with practical access restrictions and public communication.

What the 2025 Gambling Regulatory Authority Act Requires

The Gambling Regulatory Authority Act of 2025 created a centralized regulatory structure for gambling activities in Sri Lanka. With the law’s entry into force in September, the GRA became the sole national authority responsible for licensing and oversight.

The legislation explicitly makes it illegal to provide gambling services in Sri Lanka without a local license from the GRA. This requirement applies to operators offering services to players within the country, regardless of where the operator is based.

The recent blocking of 24 websites represents one of the clearest enforcement steps taken under the new law. Rather than relying solely on compliance requests or financial measures, authorities have opted for direct website blocking through internet service providers.

For operators, the legal framework means that offering gambling products to Sri Lankan users requires formal authorization. For users, it defines which platforms are considered lawful under domestic regulation.

Implications for Users Accessing Offshore Gambling Sites

For individuals in Sri Lanka who previously accessed international gambling websites, the blocking measures change practical availability. Access to the named domains is now restricted through local internet providers.

The official statement also emphasizes legal risk by highlighting that these platforms operate in violation of national law when serving Sri Lankan players without a license. Authorities have publicly discouraged participation and financial involvement with such sites.

For users who evaluate gambling platforms based on licensing status, the enforcement action clarifies that a local GRA license is now the determining legal standard within Sri Lanka. Platforms not holding such a license are subject to blocking and public warning.

Our Assessment

Sri Lanka has moved from establishing a new gambling regulator in 2025 to actively enforcing its licensing requirements in 2026. By blocking 24 websites and issuing a public warning, authorities have demonstrated that providing gambling services without a GRA license is subject to technical and regulatory intervention. The action defines the practical application of the 2025 law and sets a clear compliance benchmark for operators and users within the country.