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Sri Lanka Gets 10 Applications for Casinos

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Sri Lanka has received 10 applications to set up casinos under new regulations issued, and they are in various stages of evaluation, State Minister for Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said.

Opposition legislator Athureliye Rathana, a monk, questioned whether two companies, including one called Golden Island Hospitality (Pvt) Ltd had been issued licenses.

He questioned whether a casino had been approved for the Lotus Tower, and whether casinos will be set up in Kandy and Jaffna.

Opposition legislator Lakshman Kiriella requested that casinos not be set up in Kandy, the Sri Pada and Anuradhapura which had a religious significance.

Minister Siyambalapitiya said the applications were in various stages of evaluation and no licenses have been issued so far.

Under regulations gazette last year, there were four casinos which were charged 500 million rupees as an renewable fee for five years.

They also had to pay 15 percent on revenues and collect a 50 dollar fee from Sri Lankan casino players.

The government planned to increase the fee to 200 dollars over three years to discourage locals playing casinos, he said.

Rathana thero questioned why casinos were being set up when people did not have money to eat.

Siyambalapitiya said there was criticism when valued added tax were raised but when alternative sources of revenue was found by taxing foreigners, traditional criticisms were being made that had kept the country back.

“I clearly said 10 applications have been received. We have to remember already regulated casinos which operated without paying a license for many years. We are talking about taxes, asking not to impose VAT, but when a tax is charged from tourists, they we are told not to do this,” Siyambalapitiya said.

“Then are you asking to raise taxes on locals? There is a big problem in going forward with the reality. Always with this traditional opposition this country has gone down the tubes (waler pull-lerter gi-yar). It is the same thing today. We have to realize this Honorable Speaker,” Siyambalapitiya added.

Asia

SEGA SAMMY CREATION Launches “Prosperity Peaks™” in Macau

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SEGA SAMMY CREATION INC. proudly announces the first installation of Prosperity Peaks™, the latest addition to their successful Dice series, now live on casino floors in Macau. Building on the proven success of its earlier Dice games, this new title continues the legacy with powerful features and a design tailored for Asian players.

The Asian themed Prosperity Peaks™ retains the fan-favorite Dice Wild and Wild Reels features that have defined the series, while introducing an enhanced Jackpot Bonus that delivers more frequent and rewarding win opportunities. Players will experience the thrill of hitting Jackpots more often, adding extra excitement to every spin.

The company stated today that “The Prosperity Peaks™ Link game is designed uniquely for Asia and it’s highly anticipated when we first showcased in recent gaming shows. We deliberately brings all the elements fun and excitement to promote better entertainment on the gaming floor altogether.”

The initial launch in Macau is just the beginning. Prosperity Peaks™ will also be coming soon to additional properties throughout Macau and extended to other key markets.

The post SEGA SAMMY CREATION Launches “Prosperity Peaks™” in Macau appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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12BET Goes Crypto with Big Rewards

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As cryptocurrency adoption surges worldwide—driven by landmark legislation and growing investor confidence—12BET, continues to lead in embracing digital innovation. Recent U.S. Congressional moves to pass crypto-focused legislation, alongside India’s evolving regulatory stance, mark a global shift towards mainstream acceptance of digital assets.

12BET, a pioneering name in the igaming world since 2007, invites crypto users to experience fast, secure and flexible transactions through its wide range of supported cryptocurrencies. Players can choose from the widely used USD-pegged stablecoin USDT (Tether), Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH) and the community-favourite Dogecoin (DOGE). These crypto-friendly payment options ensure seamless access to 12BET’s full entertainment portfolio—meeting the expectations of a new generation of tech-forward players.

“As cryptocurrency continues to reshape how people handle money, we’re proud to give our players modern payment options that reflect our values of fairness and transparency. We’re building a platform that moves in step with global innovation and player-first features,” said Rory Anderson, spokesperson for 12BET.

To celebrate this growing momentum, 12BET is offering all eligible users a spin on their Lucky Wheel, with prizes including an iPhone 16 Pro Max, a 2.5g 999 gold bar and a DJI Osmo Pocket 3—available for a limited time.

This move comes amid growing global crypto adoption, with recent legislative efforts like the GENIUS Act and CLARITY Act in the US, and increased regulatory clarity in markets like India. As the global crypto market surpasses $4 trillion, 12BET is doubling down on its mission to deliver a future-ready, player-first gaming experience.

The post 12BET Goes Crypto with Big Rewards appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Enforcement Directorate of India Issues Fresh Summons to Meta, Google in Online Betting Probe

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Executives of tech giants Meta and Google did not depose before the Enforcement Directorate of India (ED) on Monday and have now been given fresh summons for July 28 in a money laundering case linked to promotion of illegal online betting and gambling platforms.

The representatives of the two companies sought deferment of the July 21 summons, saying they need time to collect relevant information and documents before they present themselves for questioning and recording of their statements at the federal probe agency.

The executives have been given a one-week extension and asked to depose on July 28. Once they depose, their statements will be recorded under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

A Google spokesperson said that the company was “committed to keeping our platforms safe and secure, prohibiting the promotion of illegal gambling ads.”

“We are extending our full support and cooperation to investigating agencies to hold bad actors responsible and keep users safe,” the spokesperson said.

There was no response from Meta.

The federal agency is probing several platforms allegedly hosting illegal betting and gambling links, including instances of advertisements placed for them on various social media outlets and app stores.

The tech giants are understood to have been called by the ED to know how such illegal platforms can place ads on their portals.

Some actors, celebrities and sports persons are also under the scanner of the agency in these cases, and are expected to depose.

The ED has claimed illegal online betting and gambling platforms cheated people of their hard-earned money, and also laundered and evaded paying taxes of up to several crores of rupees.

Google said its “continuous AI advancements, complemented by human expertise, ensure all ads on our surfaces comply with local laws and our strict ad policies, and protect users from evolving threats.”

“Last year alone, we removed 247.4 million ads and suspended 2.9 million advertiser accounts in India,” the firm said.

The ED is investigating more than a dozen cases linked to illegal gambling and betting platforms across the country, including the Mahadev Online Book (MOB) app, whose main promoters hail from Chhattisgarh.

The post Enforcement Directorate of India Issues Fresh Summons to Meta, Google in Online Betting Probe appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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