Sri Lanka’s first integrated casino resort, City of Dreams Colombo, opens with Melco at the helm

Sri Lanka formally opened City of Dreams Sri Lanka, the region’s first fully integrated resort, on 2 August, bringing international-standard casino gaming to the country for the first time in collaboration with global entertainment giant Melco Resorts & Entertainment.

The US$1.2 billion development, led by John Keells Holdings (JKH) and operated in part by Melco, marks the largest single private investment in Sri Lankan history. The main component of the facility is a state-of-the-art casino and entertainment zone, developed and managed by Melco, whose properties in Macau and Manila have set benchmarks in the global gaming industry.

“This is not just a property, it is a symbol of possibility and a celebration of Sri Lanka’s potential as a world-class destination,” said Melco Chairman and CEO Lawrence Ho at the opening event. “For Melco, it is a privilege to be part of this inspiring story as the operator of NÜWA and the gaming facility within this incredible property.”

The new casino is designed to meet international regulatory and operational standards, including responsible gaming protocols such as the RG Check accreditation. It aims to cater to high-end international travelers while contributing to Sri Lanka’s tourism-driven economic recovery. With its location in the heart of Colombo and access to feeder markets such as India, China, the Middle East, and Russia, the resort is positioned as a hub for regional gaming tourism.

Ho stated that “Sri Lanka can be to India what Macau is to China,” highlighting the strategic opportunity. He added: “Macau is by far the biggest gaming market in the world. Colombo is the closest destination to India, and an integrated resort like this gives the city a lot of potential.”

Melco’s role includes training and development of Sri Lankan talent for gaming and hospitality roles. Supporting local talent development through comprehensive training programs and creating meaningful career opportunities for the Sri Lankan workforce will be "a key focus," Ho said.

Melco’s Lawrence Ho (left) with John Keells Chairman Krishna Balendra

The gaming component forms part of a luxury offering under one roof, which includes the NUWA Hotel with 113 ultra-luxury rooms, the 687-room Cinnamon Life Hotel, 17 curated dining venues, upscale retail, residences, and event spaces. However, the gaming floor and associated entertainment attractions are expected to play a major role in driving footfall and foreign exchange.

For JKH, the project represents a strategic bet on long-term economic transformation. “This is not merely a physical development, this is a declaration of belief in Sri Lanka's future,” said JKH Chairman Krishan Balendra. “We expect City of Dreams to contribute meaningfully to GDP growth, while also triggering infrastructure development in surrounding areas.”

The casino launch comes amid efforts to reposition Colombo as a high-end tourism and MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions) destination. With this latest development, Sri Lanka joins a short list of South Asian nations offering internationally regulated gaming, a space previously dominated by Goa and Nepal.

Meanwhile, the Sri Lankan government has announced plans to establish an independent Gaming Regulatory Authority to oversee the industry. The proposed body will be tasked with licensing, compliance monitoring, and enforcing responsible gaming practices. It also recently approved the import of casino machines, ending a ban in place since the country’s economic crisis.