MonetaBrief has published an investigation into the activities of illegal iGaming operators in Sri Lanka and the Port City special economic zone in Colombo, following their recent displacement from the Philippines and Cambodia. The report is based on job recruitment ads on social media and a report from the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). Here are the key details highlighted by iGN:
Major syndicates often legalize their presence through the Port City SEZ or by registering a Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) company with the approval of the Sri Lanka Investment Board. Others operate from closed complexes outside Colombo.
The workforce is composed of citizens from China, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Cambodia, some of whom are working without permits.
Recruiters are offering marketing, customer support, and SEO specialists salaries ranging from $1,200 to $2,000 per month, along with a tiered commission of 4% to 14%.
The primary target markets include China, Vietnam, and African countries, including Nigeria.
In July, Vietnamese police blocked iGaming sites operated by fi88 and King Group, with King Group also recruiting personnel to work in Sri Lanka.
Operators KJC and P3Bet are targeting the Vietnamese audience from Sri Lanka, with their domains registered in various jurisdictions, including South Africa and Montenegro.
Last week, Sri Lanka's Ministry of Digital Economy blocked 122 websites of unlicensed operators, and the Deputy Minister announced the creation of a gaming regulator whose rules will apply across the territory, including Port City.