‘India’s Macau’ – City of Dreams Sri Lanka opens to global visitors
Posted on August 4th, 2025
By Gambling Insider
Melco and JKH launch South Asia’s first integrated resort, highlighting Sri Lanka’s regulatory reforms and regional potential.
Key points:
– $1.2bn investment by John Keells Holdings and Melco Resorts
– Sri Lanka aims to become a regional gaming and tourism hub
– New gaming legislation enabled formal licensing and international entry
Sri Lanka has officially opened its largest private sector development on 2 August with the launch of City of Dreams Sri Lanka, a project valued at over $1.2bn.
Located in Colombo, the resort is a joint venture between local conglomerate John Keells Holdings and international casino operator Melco Resorts & Entertainment. It is being described as South Asia’s first integrated resort.
The complex includes two luxury hotels, Cinnamon Life with 687 rooms and NÜWA with 113 ultra-luxury rooms, as well as a Melco-operated casino, 17 dining venues, a high-end retail promenade, event spaces and residences. The resort was designed as a complete lifestyle and tourism hub positioned to attract travellers from India, China, Russia and the Middle East.
At the opening event, Melco Chairman and CEO Lawrence Ho said Sri Lanka had the opportunity to serve the Indian market in a similar way to how Macau serves ChinaAs, as quoted by The Island.
He noted that the country’s proximity and stability made it an attractive destination for high-value tourism, particularly as the region lacked comparable integrated resorts.
Good to know: Sri Lanka passed formal gaming legislation earlier, establishing a regulatory framework that was a key requirement for international operators like Melco
JKH Chairperson Krishan Balendra said the project’s development spanned over a decade and involved more than 500 local contributors. He added that the formal legal structure gave international investors confidence and allowed the partnership with Melco to materialise.
Balendra described the project as a strategic move to position Colombo as a premier location for entertainment, meetings and business travel.