Nepal’s government has ordered an immediate shutdown of all online betting apps and websites, instructing internet and mobile service providers to close platforms “without delay”.
The nation’s Ministry of Communications and Information Technology issued a letter to the Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) over the weekend, instructing all service providers to block betting apps and websites within 24 hours.
Speaking to media, an NTA spokesperson indicated that the shutdown has already commenced, with at least 16 betting sites targeted for immediate closure.
The move follows a cabinet meeting on Friday, in which the government took a firm stance against online betting apps, due to concerns over illegal financial transactions and capital outflow.
Despite the overall crackdown, the government has reportedly not provided a specific list of betting sites or apps that need to be blocked, with the choice being left to the NTA. However, the NTA indicates that “operators have been instructed to halt all activities immediately”.
NTA Spokesperson Min Prasad Aryal told local media that “The IP addresses of betting apps and their associated URLs must be identified. We have currently been instructed to block all suspicious websites; there is no situation where specific names have been sent”.
The move comes amidst a 100-point governance reform overhaul, with point 42 mandating the comms ministry to block all betting apps and websites within 24 hours. Daily monitoring and reporting on the shutdown has been implemented, with updates to be submitted to the nation’s Prime Minister and Secretariat.
Authorities did not indicate any move to shut down Nepal’s land-based casinos, largely located on the border with India.
