Nepal Orders Betting Apps and Websites to Close

(AsiaGameHub) –   Nepal has mandated a swift closure of online betting platforms. The directive was issued via an online government announcement, giving authorities a mere 24 hours to take action.

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Good to Know

• Nepal instructed its telecommunications regulator to shut down betting apps and websites within 24 hours.
• Internet service providers are anticipated to assist in blocking access.
• The order was issued days following the inauguration of a new prime minister.

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Nepal Orders Immediate Shutdown

The Nepalese government stated in an online announcement published on Sunday that the Nepal Telecommunications Authority had been directed to “immediately” “shut down betting apps and websites, including any electronic betting platforms” within 24 hours. The regulator is expected to collaborate with internet service providers nationwide.

The timing of this order is significant. It was issued just days after Balendra Shah, a 35-year-old former rapper, musician, and mayor of Kathmandu, was sworn in on March 27 as Nepal’s youngest prime minister, following a landslide victory by the Rastriya Swatantra Party.

Underlying pressure had been mounting. In November 2025, The Himalayan Times reported a “surge of gambling apps and online platforms” in Nepal, noting they were “operating freely”.

The broader region has also been enforcing stricter regulations. In August of the previous year, neighboring India enacted legislation to prohibit online real-money gaming by October 1 of that year.