Sri Lanka’s President, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, has presented his first budget since taking office, with gambling reforms among the key highlights.
The casino entrance fee will double to $100 per person, while the turnover tax on gaming establishments will rise from 15% to 18%.
The budget aligns with efforts to increase government revenue and support Sri Lanka’s economic recovery, as the IMF urges the country to double its tax income, which stood at 7.3% of GDP in 2022.
Meanwhile, Thailand has introduced draft regulations outlining entry requirements for local gamblers following the January approval of a bill to legalize land-based casinos.
Under the proposal, locals must maintain at least ฿50 million ($1.48 million) in fixed deposits for six months and pay an entry fee capped at ฿5,000.
