Sri Lanka blocks access to 122 unlicensed online gambling websites

Sri Lanka’s telecommunications regulator has ordered internet service providers to immediately block access to 122 websites accused of offering unlicensed online gambling and betting services in the country.

The Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka said Thursday that it issued the directive following a notification from the Gambling Regulatory Authority.

The authority operates under the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, while the telecommunications commission functions under the Ministry of Digital Economy.

The action was taken under the Gambling Regulatory Authority Act, No. 17 of 2025.

Under Sections 15, 16 and 18 of the law, operators must obtain a valid licence before providing or promoting online gambling services in Sri Lanka. Conducting such activities without a licence constitutes an offence under Section 44 of the act.

The telecommunications regulator instructed all service providers to prevent users in Sri Lanka from accessing the identified websites with immediate effect.