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Sri Lanka doesn’t officially have a law that approves or prohibits gambling. So, if you’re in the country, you can still register with online sportsbooks and place bets. However, it’s vital you only use the reliable sports betting sites in Sri Lanka for your safety, and you’ll find them on this page.
We’ve researched the best sportsbooks where you can safely place bets. Our recommended sites are all duly licensed and regulated by renowned authorities in popular gambling regulations. Rest assured that if you join any, you’ll experience legal and top-class sports betting.
Even though online betting in Sri Lanka isn't legalized, it's also not mentioned in any gambling law. Moreover, the government does nothing to prevent international bookmakers from operating in the country, which leads to a situation where any sportsbook that wants to offer sports betting is free to do so. The locals can quickly sign up for an account with any website that offers its service.
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It creates a similar situation in most African countries, where locals can access many betting sites, including top international sportsbooks such as Bet365. The wide selection of free betting sites has its advantages, mainly since it includes some of the world's top bookmakers.
The only catch is to know where to find them, but we'll cover that and more in this article.
When you’re placing your bets in Sri Lanka, BetWinner allows you to choose between MasterCard and Visa cards. You’ll be able to use credit or debit cards. While there’s no support for local Sri Lankan Rupees, you can choose to transact with USD or EUR, among other currencies. The minimum deposit is $1, which makes the bookie great if you want to keep your risks low.
betwinner.com
When I visited the sportsbook, the only games for national Sri Lankan teams were two cricket matches. However, this changes based on the matches local teams compete in.
The site gives you an Accumulator of the Day function. This is a collection of bets that are popular for the day. You can easily add this to your bet slip. It shows you the odds that you’re going to get with the wager.
For global sports events, you can pick from basketball, volleyball, cricket, and more. There are Esports options available on the platform.
A 100% deposit match offer applies to the first funds you pay into your BetWinner account. There’s a low minimum deposit of $1 to qualify for this promo.
1win is a betting site that allows you to trade, bet on sports, and enjoy other games. The platform itself features a responsive layout. That’s something that gives you a chance to enjoy their wagering options on a mobile device and your computer.
The sports section is divided into two. You can pick regular bookmaker features or, alternatively, visit the “Live” link if you prefer to bet on matches that are currently ongoing.
There are dedicated bonuses for the sportsbook section on the site. This includes a 500% deposit bonus, but just keep in mind that the entire offer won’t apply to the time you fund your account. It’s based on your first four deposits, with bonuses of 200%, 150%, 100%, and then 50% when you add money for the fourth time. Competitions on the site allow you to win things like cars, iPhones, and more. You’ll need to participate regularly to stand a chance.
Broadcasts are available for some of the matches you can bet on in the live section. Click on a match and then look at the top side of the screen. You’ll need to sign into your account before you can watch any of these streams.
Megapari offers free bets and a welcome offer. You’ll need to choose between the two, though. I recommend you opt for the welcome bonus if you generally place low wagers. For those who prefer bigger bets, choose the “freebet” bonus.
megapari.com
In Sri Lanka, you have the option to bet on local teams. I found the matches a bit limited, so I’d suggest you also look at international wagers. There are several payment options that you can choose from. For this country specifically, the main choices include credit and debit cards. The sportsbook accepts MasterCard and Visa.
Megapari has been nominated for and won several awards. This really adds to the trustworthiness to expect. The bookie is operated by Vdsoft & Script Development SRL. You’ll find the registration and licensing details at the bottom of the website. There’s an SSL certificate which helps to add protection when you enter any personal data.
You can find statistics and historical results at Megapari. This gives you details about part matches and helps you make data-driven bets.
Sports betting is a major part of Paripesa. When you open the site, you’ll immediately see the most popular upcoming matches. I was able to bet on the African Cup of Nations, the Philippines Governors Cup, and the Kontinental Hockey League, among others. You can search for specific matches, and there are local betting options for Sri Lanka.
paripesa.com
There’s no official deposit and withdrawal list for Sri Lanka, but you’ll still be able to use the default credit and debit card payments. Don’t expect to use bank transfers in the country, though.
The welcome offer at Paripesa gives you a 100% match on the deposit you make after registering a new account. Live betting options give you a chance to bet on games that you can follow. There’s a schedule system that also makes it easy to see what’s about to start.
In terms of support, you can easily connect with the customer service department. Look toward the bottom right area of the screen. You’ll notice a green chat button that opens up the live chat function of the bookie.
Betandyou focuses on making it easy to pick matches that you can bet on. Start by heading over to the sports betting section. Alternatively, if you want to wager on live matches, then you should rather use the “In-Play” link.
betandyou.com
On the right side of the site, there are several widgets. To sign in or register, use the top widget. There’s also an area that shows your bet slip. You can easily add more games to the bet slip and then do a checkout when you’re ready. You can view your bets in this section as well.
I like the “Recommended” feature on the site. The bookie gives you an overview of what other experts are placing their wagers on. This is great if you don’t know what you want to bet on.
There are several ways to pay in Sri Lanka. Apart from using your MasterCard, the site accepts several e-wallets. This includes Jeton Wallet, Jeton Cash, and AstroPay. If you prefer to transact with crypto, then you can use BinancePay as well. They don’t support local Sri Lankan Rupees, but you can simply use USD. The minimum deposit with most methods is $1.
The diversity of sports betting options at MagicWin makes the platform great regardless of what you want to wager money on. There are standard sports events like cricket, football, and tennis. The site also allows you to place your bets on greyhounds and horse racing.
magicwin.bet
You can download an app if you prefer to place bets on a smartphone. Just keep in mind that it works only with Android phones. If you’re on a different mobile operating system, simply use your browser to visit MagicWin’s website.
The sportsbook allows you to open a demo account. That’s a feature that a lot of bookies lack. You get some free credits that you can use to start out. Use this to practice if you’re still new to sports betting.
The homepage of the bookmaker gives you a view of the most popular in-play matches. There’s also a section for upcoming games. You can use this to plan out your bets. You’ll be able to filter through different sports types here as well.
Velobet offers welcome bonuses but also rewards those who stay loyal to the platform. This is through a loyalty program that gives you awards based on how long you stay loyal to the bookie, the bets you place, and the number of deposits you make. It’s a good idea to review the different promos that are part of this system to give you a better idea of what you can expect.
velobet.com
For every three bets you place at VeloBet, you get one free. This is another way that the bookmaker adds value.
There are regular sports betting options and a live section. When you visit in-play matches, you’ll see the progress update in real time. There’s a livestream widget on the right sidebar. This shows you how the game progresses. The left sidebar has a list of current matches and the different sports categories.
The main sportsbook section gives you a view of the top matches, including boosted odds. I recommend you take advantage of this to help you build your bet slip.
There’s a specific welcome bonus for the bookie features of the site. It gives you a deposit match of 150%. The maximum you can claim in this promo is $1,000.
22Bet gives you access to a wide variety of markets. This includes sports betting options for major leagues and championships. It’s a licensed bookmaker, and the site prioritizes security thanks to the SSL certificate that’s installed on the server.
The odds at 22Bet are also really good. I compared it to a couple of other sportsbooks and can confirm they’re fair. The site gives you boosted odds on some matches. This changes all the time so you’ll have to log in and check the options available at the moment.
There’s a welcome bonus that you can claim at 22Bet. You get a 100% match on the first deposit you make. One thing to keep in mind is that the bonus is limited to $50.
Apart from regular betting choices, there’s a live section that you can access. Use the search bar if there are specific games you’re planning to place your wagers on. You can also look for specific sports or teams.
Rolletto is a site that gives you plenty of chances to access bonuses. When you sign up, there’s a welcome offer that you can use for the sportsbook section of the platform. You also have the ability to get free bets. These activate after you’ve made three bets on sports events. The next bet you place will be free of charge. You still get your winnings if the bet turns out to be a success.
rolletto.com
The bookie has a booster system in place as well, which can sometimes boost your bets up as much as 100%. This helps increase the payouts that you can expect if the team you wager on wins.
Apart from a live and regular sportsbook section, the bookmaker has a page that’s dedicated to Esports. This is ideal if you’re someone who likes modern betting options, including online games. You can then place your bets on tournaments for Valorant, Counter-Strike 2, Dota 2, League of Legends, and several other online games.
The bookie is operated by Santeda International B.V. The operator has a license that was granted to them by the Government of Curacao.
FreshBet is a popular sportsbook with sections dedicated to these different kinds of betting options. When you head over to the sports section, you’ll see the top leagues that you can bet on right now. In my case, the leagues that were ranking well were the UEFA Champions League, the Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, and the Liga Professional.
freshbet.com
At the center of the page, you’ll see the current matches that you can bet on. There are top events, upcoming, and live categories that you can pick from. There’s also a list of specific sports on the left-hand side of the screen. These include basketball, handball, Formula 1, volleyball, and more.
Apart from the standard welcome bonuses that you can access at FreshBet, the bookie also offers loyalty rewards. This includes a regular 10% deposit match when you continue to deposit and place bets on the platform.
The FreshBet VIP Club is something to consider if you tend to place large wagers. This program has several levels that regularly give you access to special rewards.
The large selection of betting sites here also means that locals can access many bonus offers and promotions. The option to sign up for an account with dozens of bookmakers makes it not hard to find the best free bet offers and other great promotions.
Besides the free bets promotions, all bookmakers will have a welcome bonus – which can come in the form of free bets, or a matched deposit bonus, with the latter far more common. Besides that, most bookies will also have other offers in deposit bonuses, reload bonuses, odds boosts, and promotional offers during significant competitions.
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Rakeboost bonus
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While all sportsbooks will have some promotions and bonuses, international sportsbooks like Bet365 tend to have much better offers, which also explains why more reputable bookies are considered the top betting sites in Sri Lanka.
Any bettor should sign up for an account with a sportsbook that offers solid bonuses, as they're the best and easiest way to get extra value for your money. And most don't require you to do any extra work besides login and opt-in for the bonus – except for deposit bonuses, which will require you to make a minimum qualifying deposit.
📅 Sports Betting Legal Since: | 2010 |
🏢 Regulatory Body: | Ministry of Finance |
⚖️ Legal Acts: | Casino Business Licensing Regulation No. 1 of 2022 |
🧾 Taxation: | Winnings are not taxable |
⚽ Favorite Sports to Bet on: | Cricket, football, badminton, basketball, tennis |
🏅 Widespread Tournaments\Competitions to Bet on: | Lanka Premier League, Asia Cup, Dialog Champions League, SLC Super Provincial Twenty20 |
🎰 Other Popular Gambling Markets: | Online casinos, blackjack, roulette, slots |
⭐ Most Popular Sportsbooks: | 22Bet, Megapari, BetWinner |
With so many operational betting sites, you can rest assured that plenty of betting options will be available. So if you want to bet on big competitions like the Serie A, NHL, or the NBA, markets will be open, especially on prominent international sportsbooks and on most new online betting sites in Sri Lanka.
But besides the availability of betting markets on global competitions, betting sites also offer markets for local tournaments and sports competitions. Moreover, some bookies might provide bettors special promotions for betting on teams and players. So there's always something to bet on.
Sports are top-rated, and even though the Sports Ministry named volleyball the national sport, cricket is by far the most popular sport in the country, followed by rugby. And not only do locals enjoy watching various sports competitions, but the majority also like to bet on them – even though gambling and sports betting are illegal.
But since online betting is not regulated, locals can access various betting sites and place a bet on any sport they desire. It is particularly cricket, which is well covered.
The Sports Ministry might have concluded that volleyball is the national sport, but if you were to ask locals which sport they prefer to watch, the majority would agree on cricket. Cricket is a big sport in the country due to the national team's success in various international events.
And due to the sport's popularity among the fans, it's also not surprising to learn that cricket betting in Sri Lanka is prevalent. Since we're talking about one of the world's biggest sports, you can also rest assured that all websites that offer sports betting will provide cricket betting markets for either local competitions or international events.
Esports betting is still a relatively new concept, but over the last decade, it has become a vast hit among fans and online bettors. Nowadays, you can find Esports betting markets on any sportsbook you visit, including betting sites in Sri Lanka.
Even though the country does not have an Esports scene, nor is it home to a single high-profile Esports player, locals have become increasingly fond of the Esports scene and its online betting world. So if you intend to bet on Esports, there will be many options, especially on big international betting operators such as Bet365.
Local betting sites have no limitations on which sports or competitions you can bet on. The offer is just as fast as a bettor from Europe or the USA would have, especially if you're using established international sportsbooks.
But betting sites not only offer betting markets on more significant competitions. They also offer betting options on local sports events such as the Super League, Champions League, and the Lanka Premier League.
Due to the lack of a legal framework regulating online sports betting, it is home to dozens of online betting sites, which are free to operate in the country without a licence. Although they don't work legally, no bettor will be prosecuted for using them.
It creates a situation where local bettors have plenty of options when picking bookmakers in Sri Lanka, which has advantages. But the sheer number of sportsbooks makes it hard to choose the right one. Luckily, there's a simple process of recognising the best online betting sites.
It would help if you strived to use only betting sites with the best odds and as many betting markets as possible, as only this way will you be able to place bets with fair prices and on whatever you like.
We've learned that picking a bookmaker with good betting odds is very important. However, you should know that there is no such thing as a bookmaker with the best odds.
The online betting market is very volatile, leading to price discrepancies – where bookmakers offer different odds on the exact match – but you won't find a betting site that will always have the best odds. So in the search for the best online betting sites, you should consider registering with multiple sportsbooks.
Having an account with multiple betting sites will help you price shop, i.e., look around several markets to find the best available odds. And this is the only way you can ensure you'll get the best odds on the match you want to bet on.
So rather than registering with one bookie, consider using several betting sites. That also has other advantages, mainly taking advantage of more bonus promotions.
Online betting in Sri Lanka is not allowed, but no law would regulate it, so bettors are free to bet online if they wish. And in a similar spirit, there are no limitations on which payment methods you can use when depositing money onto betting sites.
Betting sites in Sri Lanka have several methods available, including bank transfers or credit cards. However, most bettors prefer E-wallets such as Skrill, Neteller, ecoPayz, and Sticpay, which is made possible because there are many betting companies with Skrill, Neteller, and ecoPayz deposit options.
E-Wallets are particularly popular because they keep your transactions anonymous, even though the government does not prosecute those who bet online. Alternatively, crypto deposits are a good choice for those wanting to stay anonymous, but crypto payments tend to be available only to a handful of bookmakers.
Mobile betting is prevalent and has become increasingly popular in the country over the last few years. As a result, betting sites worldwide started to develop ways for their customers to bet online, which they achieved by either offering a mobile betting app or a mobile betting website.
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4.8
Bet £10 get £30 in free bets
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Between the 2, mobile betting apps are far better if you're a mobile bettor, as they are more convenient, easier to use, and stabler than a mobile website. So if you intend to bet from your phone, it helps to look through the best online betting sites and pick those that offer a mobile betting app.
Admittedly, not all bookmakers in Sri Lanka will have a betting app available, but an excellent portion will. Hence, it's not hard to find a betting app in Sri Lanka, especially if you're using reputable international sportsbooks.
Just like betting apps or at least a mobile betting website have become mandatory for all solid bookmakers, so are live betting options and live streaming, an essential feature all of the best betting sites should have.
Unfortunately, not all betting sites offer live betting, and some don't do an excellent job. Conversely, many great betting sites will have everything you need to bet in-play, including live betting markets and live streaming options. And once again, your best bet with selecting bookmakers for live betting is established, international bookies.
Live betting is not for everyone, but even if you don't plan to live bet from the get-go, it helps to have the option if you change your mind. Especially once you get comfortable betting on pre-match markets, you'll likely want to try in-play betting, which is highly exciting and profitable if done correctly. So there is an incentive for you to pick an excellent live betting site when registering for an account.
With so many bookmakers operating, you can be sure that the betting options available will be wasted. The best betting sites in Sri Lanka do an excellent job covering many sports and competitions while offering generous betting markets, allowing you to bet on games however you like.
Although no bet type has been recognised as the most popular, the statistics are probably the same all over the world – most people bet with moneyline as it's the most straightforward bet you can make. Behind it are handicaps and totals, as 2 trendy bet types.
So if you intend to use just the three, you can't go wrong when picking a bookmaker, as all will have those options available. But picking a good bookmaker with deep betting markets is a smarter option if you're into having more options, such as prop bets, outrights, and special half-time bets.
Sports betting in Sri Lanka is legal, whereas online betting is in a gray area. It's not explicitly illegal, but the government has yet to accept any laws that would regulate the online betting sector – and according to recent developments, it likely won't for a while longer.
Interestingly, the online sector was left relatively untouched as there is no legal framework to limit it. Instead, the government decided to increase taxes, which might be the only reason it tolerates betting. Casinos must pay 15% GGR tax and a $2.2 million licensing fee. That explains why there have been so many new betting sites over the years and why so many people prefer online bookies for their betting needs.
Due to the lack of a legal framework, online bookmakers can't obtain a license. But even so, the government does nothing to prevent people from betting online, and there were no instances where bettors were prosecuted for it. So if you decide to bet online, you can do so freely by registering with any top international sportsbook like Sporting Times, Sporting Star, ST Bet, Bet365.
For years, online betting in Sri Lanka was taking place, but without a legal framework, even before the country became a republic. Then in 2010, the government accepted the Casino Business Act, which has put some gambling laws in place, but it hasn't changed the gambling scene since people have been betting at betting shops and casinos long before that.
Since the act was implemented, all betting shops had to obtain a license. Moreover, the new law prohibited betting companies from operating in urban areas or near temples and schools. But while betting is allowed, gambling in Sri Lanka remains uncertain.
The current government does not hold a friendly stance on gambling, which is reflected in higher taxes and high licencing fees for casinos and betting operators. Still, betting will remain available if the government can collect taxes.
On the other hand, online betting is in a different place. The country doesn't seem to want to issue any licenses or regular online betting sector, but it's far friendlier to the online betting scene than its neighboring countries. So while people can bet, we wouldn't expect the government to develop it much shorter.
If you are struggling with gambling problems, there are several global companies and organizations that can potentially provide assistance and support.
Before we conclude our article, here are some interesting facts about betting and sports in the country you might want to know about.
Our stars of bet world conclude the article and its online betting scene, teaching you everything you need to know about the country and how you can bet online. So now you should be ready to find the best bookmakers in Sri Lanka, register for an account, and start betting.