Nepal Government eases border casino restrictions
Department of Tourism said to be working on a new Casino Act
In a cabinet meeting on June 27, the Nepal government decided that casinos and electronic gaming houses will be allowed to operate up to a distance of 3km from the international border. Originally, gambling venues had to be at least 5km away from the international border.
“The government has shown flexibility by allowing casinos to operate at a distance of up to 3 km from international borders in the context of the upcoming Visit Nepal Year 2020 campaign,” said Ghanshyam Upadhyaya, spokesperson for the ministry, adding that a number of operators in Kakarbhitta, Biratnagar, Birgunj, Nepalgunj, and Dhangadhi had raised concerns over the restrictions.
As well as amending the casino regulation, the Department of Tourism was said to be working on a new Casino Act, which will come attached with the tourism act, according to Director General Dandu Raj Ghimire, and will bring into the statute the government’s minimum distance requirement for setting up casinos near international borders.
Ghimire added that, “The new Casino Act will aim to streamline the industry and encourage new global players to enter Nepal. The draft is in the final stage”.
