Sri Lanka Investigates Relocated Online Gaming Tied to Former Philippine POGOs in Port City Zone
TL;DR — MonetaBrief found some major online gaming groups in Sri Lanka appear to be connected to former POGO operators. Thousands of workers from China, the Philippines, Vietnam and Cambodia have reportedly relocated, some reported to be without valid work permits. KJC and P3Bet allegedly operating from Sri Lanka targeting Vietnam.
SCCG Take — This signals tighter cross-border scrutiny for operators evading bans, requiring stricter visa and compliance checks in new Asian hubs to avoid enforcement actions and regulatory gaps.
Sri Lankan authorities are investigating online gaming operations connected to former Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) that have moved into the country after the Philippines imposed a nationwide ban. An investigation by MonetaBrief has traced recruitment drives targeting ex-gaming workers from multiple Asian nations, with Colombo’s Port City Special Economic Zone emerging as a primary hub.
The probe found that recruiters are promoting Sri Lanka as a stable base for overseas-facing online gaming. Thousands of workers from China, the Philippines, Vietnam and Cambodia have relocated, some entering or staying without valid work permits. Operations appear linked to Board of Investment-approved business process outsourcing firms and are present in districts including Fort, Town Hall and Havelock City.
Operational Scope and Specific Networks Identified
Recruitment campaigns have run on Facebook, TikTok and Telegram, advertising monthly salaries between US$1,200 and US$2,000 plus commissions and provided accommodation. Payments are offered in US dollars, yuan or cryptocurrency such as USDT. The report identifies KJC and P3Bet as large networks operating from Sri Lanka and targeting Vietnam. The King Group, which faced enforcement in a Vietnamese cybercrime investigation in July, has also recruited workers for Sri Lankan sites. Some companies show Chinese ownership structures, with Malaysian senior managers handling local communications.
Sri Lanka introduced the Gambling Regulatory Authority Act on December 1, 2025, covering both physical and digital gambling, but implementation has been delayed. More than 1,000 foreign nationals, mainly from China, Vietnam and India, have reportedly been arrested in connection with cybercrime-related activity since the beginning of 2026, according to Asia Gaming Brief.
Cross-Border Coordination Underway
Eranga Weeraratne, Sri Lanka’s Deputy Minister for Digital Economy, confirmed that planned gambling regulations will apply throughout the country, including the Port City Special Economic Zone. Weeraratne said authorities are discussing the issues with relevant agencies and international partners. “The international collaboration is building on this,” he said. “This does not affect a single country. It is a cross-border issue. Therefore, a knowledge-sharing network is now being developed.” Consultations are underway with Thailand and Cambodia.
The findings, as reported by World Casino News, illustrate how former POGO groups have shifted jurisdictions following Philippine enforcement linked to criminal activity. Officials have flagged that these offshore setups routinely bypass consumer protections and responsible gambling controls required of licensed operators. How Sri Lanka’s regulatory rollout intersects with these relocated activities will determine the next phase of regional enforcement.
Reporting: World Casino News
Generated by SCCG’s automated editorial system from published source reporting. SCCG Management holds editorial responsibility.
Illegal gaming is migrating, not disappearing — operators jumping borders face tighter cross-border enforcement and credential risk in every new market.
We're tracking regulatory arbitrage across Asia for 30 years — operators think they can outrun enforcement by hopping jurisdictions, but this Sri Lanka situation shows governments are coordinating faster than ever. If you're expanding in Asia or vetting partners, you need real intel on who's behind these networks and where enforcement is headed next.
- Thousands of workers from China, Vietnam, Cambodia relocated to Sri Lanka after Philippine POGO ban
- KJC and P3Bet networks identified operating from Colombo Port City zone, targeting Vietnam
- Sri Lanka gambling regulation delayed; over 1,000 foreign nationals arrested for cybercrime since early 2026
SCCG angle: SCCG has partners and intel across every regulated Asian market. If you're entering new jurisdictions or need to vet vendors and affiliates with murky POGO ties, we connect you to the right local counsel, licensing advisors, and background sources so you don't step into enforcement crossfire or reputational damage.
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