Finance State Minister Dr. Ranjith Siyambalapitiya told Parliament yesterday that a revenue of more than Rs. 200 million has been earned so far from the fees charged from locals who patronized casinos from April this year. He said that a fee of US$ 50 is charged from locals who enter casinos from April 1 this year.
The State Minister said this while opening the debate on the Second Reading of the Betting and Gaming Levy (Amendment) Bill.
There is a need to update the existing taxes instead of increasing the tax burden on the citizens. Therefore, our aim is to place the maximum tax burden on sectors that should not be encouraged such as casinos and charge 60 percent to 65 percent of the turnover received by them to the government. The state revenue has increased by 38 percent of the GDP in the first six months of this year compared to last year, he said.
The State Minister said that the Betting and Gaming Levy (Amendment) Bill which is expected to be submitted to Parliament in the near future, seeks to amend the laws related to betting and gambling, imposing fines and regulating them. Accordingly, he said that new laws will be brought to regulate all betting and gambling in the country and impose fines and penalties.
A period of five months was given from January to May 2003 to register for casinos and that law will be amended. Otherwise, only a certain group of people will have authority in the sector.
Furthermore, the fees charged to reduce the participation of Sri Lankans in this casino have also been increased. He also said that by increasing the fees charged for gambling, the participation of Sri Lankans in these games will be reduced.