Nepal set to regulate casinos

A new piece of legislation is set to be introduced in parliament and is expected to be approved during the next session.

Nepal.- The casino industry could soon expand into Nepal as new legislation is set to be debated by local lawmakers. Tourism Minister Rabindra Adhikari has advanced that a new Federal Tourism Act has already been drafted and is expected to be approved during the next session of the Nepali parliament.

“We will bring the Casino Act, but not separately. We are currently discussing the issue. As per the plan, the casino law will come out as an annex to the Tourism Act that the government is currently drafting,” Tourism Secretary Krishna Prasad Devkota said back in August. Casinos are currently under the Casino Regulation 2013, but the government believes that it is necessary to pass a new scheme.

After further consideration, the local government decided to push a new Tourism Act that will update its tourism legislation, including the gaming sector. It will set new regulations regarding royalties, licence fees and taxes and will also set a stringent ban on locals and favour foreign investments.

According to the Tourism Minister, casinos will have to pay the royalties in order to operate or they won’t be allowed in Nepal.