The Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development has announced the immediate blocking of access to 24 online gambling and betting websites found to be operating in Sri Lanka without valid licences.
The action follows a notification issued by the Gambling Regulatory Authority, an institution operating under the Ministry, to the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL) in accordance with the Gambling Regulatory Authority Act, No. 17 of 2025.
Acting on the directive, the TRCSL has instructed all telecommunications service providers to restrict access to the identified websites from within Sri Lanka.
According to the Ministry, operating or promoting online gambling services without a licence issued under Sections 15, 16 and 18 of the Act constitutes an offence under Section 44 of the Gambling Regulatory Authority Act.
The websites affected by the restriction are 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.
The Ministry has urged the public to avoid participating in or investing in illegal online gambling activities, warning of the financial risks associated with such platforms.
It also stated that further action will be taken in coordination with relevant regulatory authorities to strengthen the regulation of gambling activities, curb illegal online gambling operations and protect the financial security of the public.
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