New casino rules introduced in Nepal

Nepal's government has introduced new rules for casino operation covering security standards, paid-up capital and pre-approval conditions, according to a report published on August 5, 2025¹. The Department of Tourism renewed the licenses of 24 casinos for the current fiscal year 2082/83, the same number as the previous year, the report said¹.

The new rules require investors who want to open a casino within 5 kilometers of an international border to meet specified security standards and to apply to the Department of Tourism for prior permission¹. Under existing law, such an application must include a security plan and an international border security assessment with a recommendation for casino operation from the district security committee¹. At least 20 trained and skilled security personnel must be deployed at the casino site¹. Casinos already in operation must meet the specified standards by Chaitra 2083¹.

The government also raised the paid-up capital required to establish a casino. For large casinos, the previous limit of 250 million rupees was raised to 300 million rupees, while for small casinos, played through machines or electronic devices, it rose to 200 million rupees¹. Casinos already in operation must meet the paid-up capital requirement by the middle of Chaitra 2085¹. License fees are set at 1.5 million rupees for large casinos and 1 million rupees for small casinos¹.

Under the pre-approval conditions, a casino in a four-star or higher hotel now requires written consent from the hotel operator to run a casino on the hotel or resort premises at the time of pre-approval¹. A company whose operator is below the age stated in the rules will not be permitted to operate, and no more than one casino may operate in a single hotel or resort premises¹. After pre-approval, operators must meet infrastructure and qualification conditions to obtain an operating license, including electronic infrastructure to prevent theft or fraud, records of loss and damage, and internal and external control systems¹. A fire control system of at least 40 horsepower is required, CCTV footage must be stored for six months, and at least five security personnel must be present to maintain discipline and control crowds¹. Conditions relating to security, customer identification and money laundering are also set out¹.

The report states that Nepali citizens are barred from entering and playing in casinos under the new rules, and are also prohibited from taking part in immoral activities¹. The report's headline states that playing in casinos against Nepali tradition, culture and social dignity is prohibited¹.

The Department of Tourism listed the casinos operating across hotel premises, including five-star hotels¹. Among them:

The list also includes Royal Tiger Recreation at Hotel Tiger One in Rupandehi; Kingsbury Entertainment Private Limited at Taragaon Regency Hotel in Baudha and at Hotel The Kingsbury in Jhapa; Siddharth Gaming Zone Private Limited at Nans Hotel in Bhairahawa; Jackpot Gaming Center at View Hotel Siddharth in Nepalgunj; Nirvana Luxury International Private Limited at Hotel Nirvana Bhairahawa; Om Kriamvakam Entertainment Private Limited in Nepalgunj; Taj Entertainment Private Limited at Hotel Mount Kailash in Kaski; Green Jackpot Entertainment at Lumbini Green Hotel in Kapilvastu; Apurva Gaming Zone Private Limited at Diyalo Hotel in Parsa; Elegant Entertainment Center at Asian Hotel in Bhairahawa; Diamond Recreation Private Limited at Garden Resort in Bhairahawa; Champion Zone Private Limited at Big Hotel in Biratnagar; Sapir Entertainment No. Technology at Hotel City Palace in Nepalgunj; Golden Finger Gaming Zone Private Limited at Himal Water Park and Village Hotel in Parsa; and Welly's Entertainment Private Limited at Sneha Hotel in Nepalgunj¹. The Department also stated that a Golden Coin casino operates at Hotel Ratna in Biratnagar¹.

What it means for players

Nepali citizens are barred from entering and playing in casinos under the rules described in the report¹. For visitors and expats, the casinos listed operate inside hotel premises, including five-star hotels, and all 24 were renewed for the current fiscal year¹. The new conditions on security staffing, CCTV storage, customer identification and money laundering apply at the premises level, and the report does not state how they change entry requirements for foreign players¹. The report does not give details of enforcement, penalties for players or any change to the games offered¹.

What happens next

Casinos already in operation must meet the specified security standards by Chaitra 2083 and the paid-up capital requirement by the middle of Chaitra 2085¹. The report does not state a date for the rules taking effect or for license renewals beyond the current fiscal year¹.

For the legal position across the region, see Gambling Laws in Asia: What Is Legal in 12 Jurisdictions.