TLDR
- Sri Lanka’s Deputy Tourism Minister announced plans to make Colombo a gaming technology hub at the Global Game Connect 2026 summit
- The $1.2 billion City of Dreams Sri Lanka resort opened in Colombo in 2025, targeting wealthy South Asian travelers
- The government aims to attract 3 million international visitors in 2026, with gaming as a key draw
- Projected annual revenue from the gaming industry is expected to reach $250 million
- The tax rate on the gaming industry has been raised to 18% to boost the national treasury
Sri Lanka is making a big push to grow its gaming industry as a way to bring in more tourists and investment. The country’s Deputy Tourism Minister, Ruwan Ranasinghe, laid out the government’s plans at the Global Game Connect 2026 summit in Colombo.
Ranasinghe said the government wants to turn Colombo into a hub for gaming technology and investment. He pointed to partnerships with Chinese companies and countries as part of the plan.
The minister said the government is working to get the right regulations and technology in place. The goal is to make the gaming industry a serious part of Sri Lanka’s tourism strategy, not just a side attraction.
For years, the gaming industry in the country was limited to small gaming clubs spread across the island. That has started to change in a big way.
The gaming and integrated resort sector has grown into a fast-expanding part of the tourism industry. Officials now see it as a path to bring in high-value visitors and drive investment into Colombo.
City of Dreams Raises Sri Lanka’s Profile
A major milestone came in 2025 when the $1.2 billion City of Dreams Sri Lanka opened in Colombo. The integrated resort raised the island’s profile as a gaming destination for wealthy South Asian travelers, especially from India.
For the government, the City of Dreams is more than just a resort. It serves as proof that Sri Lanka can host large-scale projects and attract visitors willing to spend on gaming, entertainment, and high-end hospitality.
Ranasinghe also highlighted Sri Lanka’s location as one of its biggest strengths. The island sits right next to India, which has a huge and growing gaming market.
He said Sri Lanka can act as a platform where growing businesses can set up operations and reach nearby customers more easily. The proximity to India gives the country a built-in advantage.
The government is also using industry events to attract business travelers and investors. The GGC 2026 summit is designed to put Colombo in front of global companies looking for new markets and partners.
Events like this show that Sri Lanka can manage large gaming and tech conferences. They also signal the government’s commitment to the sector.
Revenue Targets and Tax Changes
The authorities have set clear targets for the gaming industry. One key goal is attracting 3 million international visitors in 2026.
Officials hope the gaming industry will help reach that number by bringing in visitors willing to spend more money in the country. The projected annual revenue from the gaming sector is expected to hit around $250 million.
To make sure the government benefits from the growth, the tax rate on the gaming industry has been raised to 18%. That increase is expected to strengthen the national treasury.
For the authorities, the growth of gaming, the rise in international visitors, and the increase in tax revenue are all connected. They are part of a broader strategy to boost the national economy.
Sri Lanka continues to develop its regulations around the gaming industry. The projected $250 million in annual gaming revenue and the 18% tax rate are the latest pieces of the government’s plan to use gaming as a pillar of its tourism strategy.
