• Subscribe
  • Magazines
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
Monday 29 September 2025
  • zh-hant 中文
  • ja 日本語
  • en English
IAG
Advertisement
  • Newsfeed
  • Mag Articles
  • Video
  • Opinion
  • Tags
  • Regional
    • Africa
    • Australia
    • Cambodia
    • China
    • CNMI
    • Europe
    • Hong Kong
    • India
    • Japan
    • Laos
    • Latin America
    • Malaysia
    • Macau
    • Nepal
    • New Zealand
    • North America
    • North Korea
    • Philippines
    • Russia
    • Singapore
    • South Korea
    • Sri Lanka
    • Thailand
    • UAE
    • Vietnam
  • Events
  • Contributors
  • SUBSCRIBE FREE
No Result
View All Result
IAG
  • Newsfeed
  • Mag Articles
  • Video
  • Opinion
  • Tags
  • Regional
    • Africa
    • Australia
    • Cambodia
    • China
    • CNMI
    • Europe
    • Hong Kong
    • India
    • Japan
    • Laos
    • Latin America
    • Malaysia
    • Macau
    • Nepal
    • New Zealand
    • North America
    • North Korea
    • Philippines
    • Russia
    • Singapore
    • South Korea
    • Sri Lanka
    • Thailand
    • UAE
    • Vietnam
  • Events
  • Contributors
  • SUBSCRIBE FREE
No Result
View All Result
IAG
No Result
View All Result

“Casino king” Dhammika Perera asked to save Sri Lanka’s failing economy

Ben Blaschke by Ben Blaschke
Mon 27 Jun 2022 at 05:43
2021 Asian Gaming Power 50: Ones to watch
113
SHARES
2.8k
VIEWS
Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Sri Lankan “casino king” Dhammika Perera has been tasked with turning the nation’s flailing economy around after he was appointed Investment Minister on Friday.

The 54-year-old was sworn in by new President Gotabaya Rajapaksa with a mandate to attract foreign investment into the country, replacing Rajapaksa’s younger brother Basil who resigned a fortnight ago due to pressure over his handling of the economy.

Ironically, Perera will now work hand-in-hand with Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe – a member of the opposition brought in by the President to assist with the crisis – who in 2015 described the casino boss as a “demon who protected the corrupt regime of Rajapaksas.”

Sri Lanka last month defaulted on US$51 billion foreign debt and is seeking assistance from the International Monetary Fund amid major food, fuel and goods shortages.

Perera, who has regularly featured in IAG’s annual Power 50 list and was named as “One to Watch” in 2021, owns three of the Sri Lanka’s five casino licenses, operating Bally’s Colombo, Bellagio Colombo and MGM Colombo.

He currently has interests in at least 23 large companies in Sri Lanka covering everything from manufacturing to finance and is widely acknowledged as the country’s richest man.

RelatedPosts

IEC issues profit warning on widened losses through December 2021

IEC falls to US$36 million loss in FY25 but 200% increase in gaming revenues suggests bright future for Manila IR project

Sat 27 Sep 2025 at 11:56
Days after satellite casino Grand Dragon ceases operations, Melco completes closure of first Mocha slot club Kuong Fat

Days after satellite casino Grand Dragon ceases operations, Melco completes closure of first Mocha slot club Kuong Fat

Thu 25 Sep 2025 at 16:24
Melco targeting Indian market with Sri Lanka casino investment, flags annual GGR up to US$250 million

JCM Global says iVIZION bill validator, ICB system installed on all gaming machines at City of Dreams Sri Lanka

Tue 23 Sep 2025 at 05:47
IEC issues profit warning on widened losses through December 2021

Upgrade work at Manila’s New Coast hotel and casino has International Entertainment Corp expecting US$32.5 million loss in FY25

Mon 22 Sep 2025 at 05:48
Load More
Tags: Bally's ColomboBellagio ColombocasinoDhammika PereraMGM ColomboSri Lanka
Share45Share8
Ben Blaschke

Ben Blaschke

A former sports journalist in Sydney, Australia, Ben has been Managing Editor of Inside Asian Gaming since early 2016. He played a leading role in developing and launching IAG Breakfast Briefing in April 2017 and oversees as well as being a key contributor to all of IAG’s editorial pursuits.

Current Issue

Editorial – Flipping the script

Editorial – Flipping the script

by Ben Blaschke
Thu 28 Aug 2025 at 12:30

This month represents an important milestone for Inside Asian Gaming as we launch IAG EXPO – an expansion of the...

Asia market roundup

Asia market roundup

by Ben Blaschke
Thu 28 Aug 2025 at 12:26

Inside Asian Gaming takes a deep dive into the state of Asia-Pacific’s key gaming markets: who’s hot, who’s not and...

Rewriting the rules

Rewriting the rules

by Newsdesk
Thu 28 Aug 2025 at 11:43

IAG EXPO, taking place at Newport World Resorts from 8 to 10 September, is not your usual trade show. IAG...

Test of character

Test of character

by Newsdesk
Thu 28 Aug 2025 at 11:28

Since its establishment in 1989, Gaming Laboratories International (GLI) has developed into the world’s most trusted name when it comes...

Evolution Asia
Evolution Asia
Aristocrat
GLI
Nustar
SABA
Mindslot
Solaire
Hann
Tecnet
NWR
NWR

Related Posts

IEC issues profit warning on widened losses through December 2021

IEC falls to US$36 million loss in FY25 but 200% increase in gaming revenues suggests bright future for Manila IR project

by Ben Blaschke
Sat 27 Sep 2025 at 11:56

Hong Kong-listed International Entertainment Corp (IEC) said it remains confident in the long-term prospects of its Manila hotel and casino project after booking a 200% year-on-year increase in gaming revenue in the 12 months to 30 June 2025. While increased...

1xBet celebrates role as industry flagship at SBC Summit 2025

1xBet celebrates role as industry flagship at SBC Summit 2025

by Newsdesk
Sat 27 Sep 2025 at 11:32

Global sports betting brand 1xBet has celebrated its participation in this year’s SBC Summit, noting that its standing as Premium Sponsor highlighted the company’s role in industry growth and the significance of the European region for the brand. 1xBet said...

Football the focus as Vietnam revises sports betting decree

Vietnam considering revised US$380 daily betting cap on international football

by Newsdesk
Sat 27 Sep 2025 at 09:06

Vietnam’s Ministry of Finance wants to update the maximum amount individuals can bet on international football matches per day, with the current VND1 million (US$38) allowed per category to be replaced by a daily limit of VND10 million (US$380), according...

FBM to unveil multiple slot title premieres at G2E in Las Vegas

FBM to unveil multiple slot title premieres at G2E in Las Vegas

by Newsdesk
Sat 27 Sep 2025 at 08:45

Industry supplier FBM has outlined the product range it will showcase at the upcoming Global Gaming Expo (G2E) in Las Vegas, headed by new slot titles “Lanterns of Fu” and Hippo’s Lock”. Located in Booth 2848, FBM said it would...

Your browser does not support the video tag.


IAG

© 2005-2025
Inside Asian Gaming.
All rights reserved.

  • SUBSCRIBE FREE
  • NEWSFEED
  • MAG ARTICLES
  • VIDEO
  • OPINION
  • TAGS
  • REGIONAL
  • EVENTS
  • CONSULTING
  • CONTRIBUTORS
  • MAGAZINES
  • ABOUT
  • CONTACT
  • ADVERTISE

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

No Result
View All Result
  • Subscribe
  • Newsfeed
  • Mag Articles
  • Video
  • Opinion
  • Tags
  • Regional
  • Events
  • Contributors
  • Magazines
  • Advertise
  • Contact
  • About
  • Home for G2E Asia

© 2005-2025
Inside Asian Gaming.
All rights reserved.

  • English