Best New Casinos in Sri Lanka: Top 10 Casino Websites 2024

New Casinos in Sri Lanka

Even though there are no regulations governing online casinos in Sri Lanka, many players play on these sites because they are not restricted from doing so. Further incentives for playing online are the government imposing a $50 entrance fee for Sri Lankans at land-based casinos (foreigners enter free of charge) and the fact that online winnings are not subject to taxation because online casinos are unregulated. However, with only approximately 25% internet coverage, playing at online casinos is a developing industry.

Choosing the best new casinos online will involve, first and foremost, finding out whether the site accepts players from Sri Lanka. Players then need to check if the site is safe by looking at its license to see if it is from a reputable authority and whether the site is protected by SSL encryption.

After ensuring the safety and security of the site, players will want to check out the bonuses on offer and the range of new casino games available. Finding out which payment methods are accepted may also be a deciding factor for some players. Another important factor will be the level of customer service offered by the site.

Brand new casino sites offer a number of benefits for new players. As a new business, they are keen to attract new players, so they offer some very attractive bonuses. They may also incorporate the latest gaming technology for an even better user experience.

However, being a new site, it may be a risky venture to play on these sites as they have not yet proven themselves to be reputable and reliable. Some new gambling sites may have unfair terms and conditions or lack proper licenses.

History of Gambling in Sri Lanka

There is a long history of gambling in Sri Lanka, with betting taking place on horse racing, card games, cock fighting, chariot racing, and lotteries which were common in the nineteenth century. A number of laws were introduced by the British to try and stop gambling, but it went ahead anyway. A law passed in 1930 was only concerned with collecting taxes from on-course betting operators. After independence from the British in 1948, the number of betting shops increased tremendously, taking bets on horse and greyhound racing. By the 1990s, these shops were taking bets on cricket and other sports.

Casinos also existed in the twentieth century, despite the official line to the contrary, and they were known as 'recreation clubs.' These 'recreation clubs' were housed in 5-star hotels, with the majority of patrons being foreigners. These clubs were very successful and even ran a sportsbook (mainly horse racing in England), but the owners were later prosecuted, and some of them left the country. It seems the first real 'casinos' came into being in 1989, but they were closed down within a few years. The casinos were then allowed to operate the following year under a new president.

Gambling nowadays

All forms of gambling were legalized in 2010, and there are currently seven land-based casinos operating in Sri Lanka. Plans to create three new casino resorts were approved and licenses issued, but the new administration rescinded the projects in 2015 due to the perceived threat to traditional values.

Although land-based casinos are legal in Sri Lanka, the law does not regulate online casinos. This is because internet coverage in the country is only about 25%, and so online gambling is not seen to be big enough yet to be regulated. Players have no restrictions on playing at new online casinos and do so freely.

Future of New Casinos in Sri Lanka

There is currently a Chinese-funded casino project in the port city of Colombo under construction. A commission will be set up to regulate the gaming activities in the special economic zone and issue licenses. Whether this project comes to fruition is yet to be seen, especially considering the political and religious influences in the country.

As far as new online casinos are concerned, it may be that the government will decide to regulate this market and even issue licenses for local operators. A new casino online could well bring in some much-needed revenue for the country.

Are Casinos Legal in Sri Lanka?

Land-based casinos are legal in Sri Lanka by virtue of the 2010 act that legalized gambling in the country. However, this law does not regulate online casinos as the number of players concerned is considered small because of limited internet access for people. In practice, there are no restrictions against Sri Lankan players, and no one has been prosecuted for accessing these sites. Hence, players in Sri Lanka are free to play at these offshore online casinos.

Casino Acts in Sri Lanka

Although casinos were tolerated, the only law governing them up to 2010 was the 1988 Betting and Gaming Levy Act No. 40, which specified the amount of levy payable by casino operators. During the seven amendments to this act, the levy was increased gradually from 1m to 200m Sri Lankan rupees by 2015. The act that legalized gambling was the Casino Business (Regulation) Act No.17 of 2010. However, it seems that the law was not properly empowered, and no licenses have ever been issued. A recent 2022 Sri Lankan cabinet decision has stated that provisions must be drawn up, licenses issued, and levies due should be paid.

After the failure of previous casino resorts in 2015 due to political forces, there is another project under construction funded by Chinese enterprises. A special economic zone has been formed under the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Act No.11 of 2021 to regulate and license the new casino resort. To date, there are still no laws governing online casinos, and Sri Lankans are free to play at offshore sites.

Sri Lankan Players' Favorite Games

The games that Sri Lankans like to play are pretty much the same as other players around the world. Sri Lankans first and foremost love to play slots, followed by poker, blackjack, and roulette. Players in Sri Lanka love the up-to-date slots available at new casino sites. They are also getting very interested in the live dealer games of roulette, blackjack, and poker.

Slots

Slots are extremely popular, especially with young people. It is an easy game to play and doesn't involve any strategies. Another attraction is the possibility of winning large sums for only a small stake. The most commonly played slots are Moon Princess, Immortal Romance, Gonzo's Quest, Mermaids Millions, and Mega Moolah, which could result in a jackpot of over 12 million Euros.

Poker online

Another worldwide favorite that is also enjoyed by players in Sri Lanka. Many game variations, such as 3-card poker and Texas Hold'em, make this an interesting game to play. Players need to learn the rules of the different variations. In order to play well, players need to develop strategies that they will pick up as they play the game.

Blackjack online

This is another favorite that is easy to play because of its simple rules. The game is played against the house dealer, with the winner being the player with cards that add up to the closest to 21. Strategies are possible to learn when players become accustomed to the game.

Roulette

This classic roulette game also features highly in Sri Lanka. It is a game suitable for beginners because the rules are simple. Additionally, it offers a variety of games based on different-sized roulette wheels. Players can bet high or low in this game, making it suitable for all kinds of players.

Popular New Casino Bonuses

The most popular new casino bonuses are no deposit cash bonuses and free spins. These welcome bonuses are usually very generous as their aim is to attract new players to the site and retain them. The offers are useful for new players, as not only do they offer chances to win money without depositing any funds at the site, but they also give players a chance to try out new games to decide if they like playing them.

It is important to read the terms and conditions before playing, including the payment method for the bonus. Players also need to understand that there are limits on the amount of money that can be won using no deposit cash bonuses.

Casino Payment Methods in Sri Lanka

The currency in Sri Lanka is the Sri Lanka rupee (LKR) which is accepted at a limited number of new online casinos. Otherwise, deposits can be made by converting LKR to USD, GBP, or EUR, which will involve conversion fees.

The most popular and secure methods of depositing and withdrawing funds are credit/debit cards, Visa and MasterCard; bank transfers; e-wallets such as Skrill, Neteller, and ecoPayz; and bitcoin. Players need to check the individual sites as more options may be available. Players will also find it useful to check the minimum and maximum deposit and withdrawal limits for each site as they are not all the same.

All the methods mentioned above are safe and secure, but transaction processing times vary according to the method used. Deposits normally take 1-3 days when using credit/debit cards or bank transfers, whereas deposits using e-wallets are usually instant. Withdrawals using e-wallets only take a few hours or at most a day. Withdrawals involving credit/debit cards will typically take up to 7 days.

New casinos accepting Sri Lanka's Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR)

Sri Lanka is witnessing a surge in the number of online casinos that accept the Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR) as a payment currency. This is not just a passing fad, but a trend that is here to stay.

The acceptance of LKR by online casinos is a testament to their respect for Sri Lankan culture. By embracing the local currency, these casinos are creating a welcoming and comfortable environment for players.

Using LKR simplifies transactions and eliminates the need for currency conversion, making it easier for players to keep track of their bets and winnings. Additionally, online casinos that cater to LKR players offer games and promotions that are tailored to their preferences, providing a more personalized gaming experience.

For those interested in trying out these casinos, we recommend beginning with CasinoRank's handpicked list of the best new casino sites that accept LKR. However, it is important to remember to gamble responsibly and enjoy the experience.

Languages at Sri Lankan New Casinos

The three main languages spoken in Sri Lanka are Sinhalese, Tamil and English. So, for the approximately 25% of Sri Lankans who speak English, accessing online sites is not a problem. However, some of the new Sri Lankan online casinos now offer their sites in Tamil, while others offer Customer Support in both Sinhalese and Tamil.

How we Select the Top Sri Lanka's New Casinos

There are a number of things that make a new online casino a good site to play at, including safety and security, language and software, and customer support. Payment options available, ease of withdrawals, bonuses, and promotions are also important.

Safety & Security

This is the number one consideration when we check out new Sri Lanka casino sites. Players need to be assured that the games are fair and that their personal and financial information is secure. This is probably even more important for players from Sri Lanka as their country does not regulate online casinos, which means they get no protection from their government. Therefore, sites are checked to ensure they are registered and licensed by reputable international licensing authorities. Players can rest assured that the games offered are fair and their personal details are secure.

Language & Software

The sites are checked to see which languages are supported. For English-speaking Sri Lankans, this is not an issue, but for speakers of Sinhalese and Tamil, it may be a problem. Thankfully, some of the new sites offer either all or some of their services in these languages. The top gaming software may be found on these sites, such as Novomatic, NetEnt, Play'GO, Microgaming, etc. This ensures a variety of quality and up-to-date gaming technology.

Customer Support

Sites can also be judged by the quality of customer support they offer their players. It is very important that players can receive support if they encounter some problem when trying to play. The best customer support services are available 24/7 and easily accessible in a number of different mediums, including live chat, e-mail, and telephone.

Top-rated New gambling sites in Sri Lanka