Update Report on Gaming Legislation in Sri Lanka, Botswana and Nigeria

Sri Lanka

Gambling and games of chance in Sri Lanka were unregulated until 2010, at which time the government adopted the first Casino Business Act. Under it, a number of operators obtained licenses for development of hotels with land-based casinos therein. After changes in the political arena of the country in 2015, a new administration imposed heavy limitations on operators while stating that it allows organization of games of chance. Under an act from 2015, existing licenses to operators willing to develop luxury hotels with casinos were revoked and taxes were increased on betting activities.

Based on publicly available data, this present administration does not intend to issue new licenses to operators in the territory but undertakes to honor those issued in the previous term—except the ones for casino development which were revoked. With respect to the online gambling, it is not regulated and

Botswana

Gambling has been legal in Botswana since the 1960s. The current Gambling Act from 2012 replaced two laws regulating gaming in the nation, those being the Lotteries & Betting Act and the Casino Act. The national licensing and regulatory authority is the Botswana Gambling Authority, whereby the Botswana Casino Control Board is responsible for all the casino, and all the slots operations within its jurisdiction.

The Gambling Act defines private (only nonprofit) and public lotteries, and regulates land-based gambling activities. Online gaming remains completely unregulated with the government not banning anyone in participating in gambling activities through worldknown Internet casinos. As for lotteries, a public national lottery still has not been formed.

people may access most of online gambling sites. Generally, the main issue is limited access of the general population to the Internet, which limits the reach of this method of play. The government is not taking any action to prevent people from accessing these websites. Bearing in mind the current situation, it is expected that no significant change will occur, since new investors in this sector are not welcome in the country.

There are more than few brick-and-mortar casinos and game halls in the territory. It remains to be seen in which direction future development of new platforms will go.