The Hon. (Dr.) Nihal Abeysinghe

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, we debate the Gambling Regulatory Authority Bill, and the Regulations under the Public Debt Management Act and the Foreign Exchange Act.

¶ 02 The Opposition has spent the day casting doubt on whether the Authority will function properly and misreading clauses. Gambling has long existed; for years, those in power did not regulate it. Now they suddenly wake up to find faults in the Bill—perhaps because some who engaged with gambling operators in the past fear a proper regulatory net.

¶ 03 On lotteries: some argued National Lotteries Board and Development Lotteries Board should be included. They already have separate statutes and oversight by Parliament and the Auditor‑General with established tax collection. No need to fold them into this Bill.

¶ 04 Independence: real independence is proven in implementation. We will appoint officers and hold them to account—those who fail will not remain in our government.

¶ 05 Definitions: the Opposition tried to say the Bill “invites” all kinds of gambling. In fact, the Bill defines existing forms so the Authority can regulate and license appropriately; it does not mandate licensing of every conceivable activity.

¶ 06 Past statements by JVP/NPP on moral grounds are known. But now, as a government, we must face reality: gambling exists; we must regulate it, protect the public, and channel proceeds productively, especially as we emerge from bankruptcy, restructure debt, raise public sector salaries, and meet basic needs.

¶ 07 Regulation will: - Register operators (including online and ship‑based gambling), - Require software approval and licensing for online platforms, - Impose penalties for unlicensed activity (e.g., up to Rs. 10 million or minimum two years’ imprisonment), - Establish record‑keeping of receipts, payments, cash transactions, suspicious activity, and electronic transfers, supporting proper tax collection under the Inland Revenue Act and the Betting and Gaming Levy Acts, - Promote tourism, jobs, economic development, public confidence and fair play, - Prevent criminal use, money laundering, corruption, and political interference, - Protect children with minimum age rules (no gambling under 18; no employment in gambling venues under 21), - Provide for guidance to problem gamblers and set betting limits.

¶ 08 This is about minimizing social cost while securing revenue for the public good. Therefore, even if some dislike gambling, as a responsible government we must regulate it.

¶ 09 Thank you.