कोशिश गोल्ड - मुक्त

Not too late for a winning bet: Need to redraft Gambling Bill

Daily FT

|

August 18, 2025

AFTER weeks of discussion, the Committee on Public Finance approved the Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA) Bill last week. While the Bill faces its second reading in Parliament this Tuesday, its many deficiencies remain—helping create a regulator not worth its salt.

- By Sudaraka Ariyaratne

Not too late for a winning bet: Need to redraft Gambling Bill

Cambodia’s struggling, poorly regulated gaming industry.

First, the GRA Bill targets mostly casinos, exempting lotteries and largely ignoring the growing betting sector, making the misnomer of the gaming regulator as a gambling regulator in the Bill seem intentional. While amendments to include lotteries under the regulator are said to be on the way, little light has been shed on the negligence of the betting industry in the Bill—particularly the many international online betting platforms frequented by local patrons, including online prediction markets for sports and elections. The moment calls for a true Gaming Regulatory Authority, not merely a Gambling Regulatory Authority.

The Bill gives the Minister of Finance excessive power, making the regulator an executor of the Minister’s will rather than an independent body. The Minister can appoint board members and the Director General, make regulations, issue binding directives, and control the authority’s funding through budget allocations.

A truly independent, incorruptible regulatory body requires that the Constitutional Council has a say in the appointment of its board members, that the Director General is appointed through a competitive process, that the authority is granted more independent rules-making power, that the Minister does not have the power to issue binding directives on its activities, and that it is funded through license/regulation fees as opposed to budgetary allocations. This last point is crucial as a lucrative industry requires competent, well-paid regulators, which weak funding cannot support.

Tourism-gaming link

Daily FT से और कहानियाँ

Daily FT

Registration of Ditwah-hit businesses for Rs. 200,000 relief extended to 16 Jan.

THE Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Ministry said business registration for export, manufacturing, and other enterprises affected by Cyclone Ditwah has resumed under a second phase and will be extended until 16 January.

time to read

1 min

January 06, 2026

Daily FT

SSC to illuminate sky during Men’s T20 World Cup 2026

SRI Lanka Cricket yesterday conducted a media tour of the SSC grounds in a bid to create public awareness about the latest development taking place at the ground, focusing on the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026.

time to read

1 min

January 06, 2026

Daily FT

Tourism arrivals grow by 15% to 2.36 m record high in 2025

■ Dec. delivers strongest monthly performance in history with 258,928 arrivals, up 4.2% YoY ■ India remains top source market with 531,511 visitors or 27% of total arrivals, followed by UK and Russia ■ Tourism Minister Vijitha Herath says earnings surpass $ 3.2 b despite lower per-day spending estimates ■ Targets minimum 3 m arrivals in 2026 ■ Assures roll-out of visa-free scheme in 1Q and unified national brand this year

time to read

3 mins

January 06, 2026

Daily FT

Hatch Fund Singapore makes first investment in Cultive8, a globally scaling agri-tech startup

HATCH Fund Singapore has announced the completion of its first investment backing Cultive8, a fast-growing agri-technology startup with Sri Lankan roots and a rapidly expanding regional footprint.

time to read

2 mins

January 06, 2026

Daily FT

United Southern SC lose ground after defeat

UNITED Southern SC who were pursuing leaders SSC in the Tier B 3-day league tournament lost ground when they were beaten by Negombo CC in their match concluded at the Air Force grounds, Katunayake yesterday.

time to read

1 min

January 06, 2026

Daily FT

Ceypetco revises fuel prices from midnight

THE Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (Ceypetco) has announced a revision of fuel prices with effect from last night.

time to read

1 min

January 06, 2026

Daily FT

President makes push for efficient capital spending to drive growth

Instructs Ministry Secretaries to ensure optimal utilisation of 2026 Budget allocations Hints at expenditure remaining within 13% of GDP limit, with 4% allocated for capital expenditure Notes Rs. 1.4 t allocated in 2026 Budget for capital spending, in addition to Rs. 500 b supplementary allocation for Ditwah relief

time to read

1 mins

January 06, 2026

Daily FT

CT Smith says 2025 record-breaking year for CSE fuelled by retail interest

LEADING stockbroking firm CT Smith Securities has said that the Colombo bourse closed positively in 2025, with both benchmark indices reaching record highs, primarily driven by retail interest.

time to read

1 min

January 06, 2026

Daily FT

Digital Motor Insurance Card launch tomorrow

Digital governance and public security initiative by IRCSL and insurance industry

time to read

2 mins

January 06, 2026

Daily FT

Sri Lanka-US trade talks still on: Minister

Foreign Affairs Minister Vijitha Herath says 95% of trade talks done, with negotiations still ongoing Notes Finance and Trade Ministries lead negotiations facilitated by Foreign Ministry

time to read

2 mins

January 06, 2026

Listen

Translate

Share

-
+

Change font size