Govt. increases casino and distillery licence fees

The Finance Ministry has increased Casino Licence fees and the Casino Licence Renewal fees.  The Casino Business Licensing Regulation No. 01 of 2022 has been amended through a government notification issue by President Ranil Wickremesinghe in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, effective from January 01, 2024.

Accordingly, for applicants with a minimum investment of USD 250 million in integrated development, the Casino Licence fee is Rs.10 billion while the Casino License Renewal fee is Rs. 10 billion.

For applicants whose investment in integrated development is a minimum of USD 500 million, the Casino Licence fee is five billion rupees while the fee for Renewal of Licence is Rs. 10 billion.

For the existing operators of casinos (which have obtained licences prior to January 01, 2023) the licence fee is two billion rupees.This is divided as Rs. 500 million for the first five years and Rs. 1.5 billion for the next 15 years. The Renewal fee is also Rs. 10 billion.

State Minister of Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said annual liquor distillery licence fee would be increased from one million rupees to 250 million rupees. Palmyrah distillery licence fee would be increased from Rs 250,000 to five million rupees, he said, adding that the licence fee for bottling toddy would be increased from one million rupee to 10 million rupees and the vinegar production licence fee from Rs 500,000 to 2.5 million rupees. The State Minister said no final decision had yet been reached with regard to the date of the new liquor licensing fees taking effect and it would be announced upon the return of President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who is currently abroad.