COLUMBO, Aug 7 — Sri Lanka has added nearly 100 more online betting sites to its growing blacklist as authorities widen a crackdown on unauthorised gambling, the Digital Economy Ministry said today.

Online gambling is legal in Sri Lanka, but operators must register with the authorities and pay a licence fee to the government.

Another 98 websites were added to the list of blocked portals, just two days after 24 major gambling sites were banned.

The ministry said the affected online gaming platforms had been operating without licences.

It also warned Sri Lankans that investing in such sites was illegal.

The banned platforms include stake.com, bet365.com, betway.com and 1xBet.com.

“All telecom service providers have been ordered to implement the ban with immediate effect,” the ministry said in a statement.

However, internet users in Sri Lanka can still access the blocked sites using VPN software. — AFP