1xBet, 1win, and bet365 Blocked in Sri Lanka Over Lack of Local Licences

Sri Lanka has moved to cut off access to 24 gambling websites that were serving local users without the licences required under national law. The move follows a request from the country's Gambling Regulatory Authority. After receiving it, the Ministry of Digital Economy asked the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL) to direct internet providers to block the listed websites.

24 gambling brands added to the blacklist

The blocked websites are:

• 1xBet

• Betway

• 22Bet

• MELBET

• Unibet

• Betfair

• Dafabet

• Bet365

• 1win

• SpinBetter

• 10Cric

• BC.Game

• MegaPari

• PIN-UP

• Stake

• Mostbet

• Parimatch

• BetWinner

• Linebet

• 4rabet

• RajaBets

• DBbet

• Coldbet

• WinWin (the official announcement did not specify a domain name for WinWin)

According to the authorities, every website on the list was offering gambling services to people in Sri Lanka without obtaining the mandatory local authorisation.

Local licence is now mandatory

Sri Lanka allows online gambling, but only companies that receive approval from the national regulator are allowed to serve residents. Holding a licence from another jurisdiction does not grant permission to operate in the country.

The current licensing framework was introduced under legislation that came into force on 1 December 2025. Since then, companies wishing to enter the Sri Lankan market have been required to establish a locally registered business and secure the necessary approvals before accepting customers.

The same rules also apply to online gambling operations, which require separate authorisation under the country's regulatory framework.

Authorities warn players

Officials also reminded the public to avoid gambling websites that operate outside the country's legal system. They stressed that promoting or advertising unlicensed gambling websites is also considered a breach of Sri Lankan law.

The latest website blocks are part of Sri Lanka's broader effort to strengthen oversight of the gambling sector and improve player protection. The country has stepped up enforcement in recent months, not only by tightening licensing rules but also by expanding international cooperation. Earlier this year, for example, China and Sri Lanka agreed to deepen joint law enforcement efforts against cross-border online gambling, telecom fraud and other forms of organised crime, warning that criminal groups have increasingly shifted their operations to Sri Lanka.