Sri Lanka’s inaugural Global Game Connect (GGC) trade show concluded today at City of Dreams in the capital city of Colombo. The two-day conference welcomed iGaming operators, suppliers and compliance experts, many from the Chinese tech industry.
Deputy Tourism Minister Ruwan Ranasinghe told attendees the government envisions Sri Lanka as “a hub for the next wave of technological innovation and the gaming industry. We have significant potential for industries like this, particularly for the growing markets next to us, like India. We can accommodate Sri Lanka as a platform for growing enterprises.”
Second integrated resort in the works?
The land-based casino sector is also expected to grow. Last August, the country’s first integrated resort, City of Dreams Sri Lanka, opened in Colombo.
The largest private investment in Sri Lankan history was developed by Melco Resorts & Entertainment and John Keells Holdings. Melco Chairman and CEO Lawrence Ho has called Sri Lanka “a total greenfield market. … We’re barely scratching the surface in terms of the tourism potential and integrated resort gaming potential of this country.”
Last month, the Finance Ministry invited bids on the long-stalled Hyatt tower in Colombo. Would-be investors are said to be interested in its IR potential.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake supports the industry’s growth. Elected to restore solvency after the economic collapse of 2022-23, the president blessed the City of Dreams project and is betting on casinos as one way to lure foreign investment, draw global big-spending travellers and create jobs.
Casinos to support ‘high-end tourism’
In a 2025 interview, Ranasinghe said tourism will play “a very significant role to get out of these economic issues we have. We’re working more on short-term targets and getting traffic. But in the long run, our plan is to go for quality – more sustainable and high-end tourism. And casinos and gambling will be a segment of that.”
Sri Lanka broke tourism records in 2025, with 2.3 million visitors, but fell short of the government target of 3 million. Officials have set a goal of 5 million arrivals per year by 2030, in part by cultivating the meetings and conventions industry.
But tourism has experienced a setback due to tensions in the Middle East. Since the conflict erupted on 28 February, tourist arrivals to the island republic are down by 30%, with 768 flights cancelled.
Marjorie Preston
Marjorie began her gaming career in 2007 and has focused on Asian gaming markets since 2020. Outside of work, she writes about travel and film and plays the drums.
Original article: https://igamingbusiness.com/casino/sri-lanka-hosts-first-igaming-conference-plans-to-grow-online-retail-industries/
