Gambling and Betting Law in Nepal

First-time offence: imprisonment up to 3 months or fine up to NPR 30,000. Repeat offence: up to 1 year imprisonment + NPR 50,000 fine. Each additional violation adds up to 3 months and NPR 10,000. All tools, materials, and property earned from gambling are confiscated.

Yes. Online gambling, mobile app-based betting (1xBet, Juwa 365, etc.), and online casinos are all illegal. The Nepal Rastra Bank Act further criminalizes gambling-related financial transactions, especially through cryptocurrency, with penalties including confiscation, fines up to 3x the transaction value, and imprisonment up to 7 years.

No. Nepali citizens are strictly prohibited from gambling in casinos. Casinos in Nepal are legally restricted to foreign tourists only. Casinos must verify nationality through passport inspection. Nepali citizens found gambling in casinos face fines and arrest.

Gambling is any game played by wagering to gain or lose property based on chance/contingency. Betting is placing a wager on the outcome of a specific event (sports, games). Both are prohibited under Section 125. Betting carries up to 1 year imprisonment + NPR 10,000 fine.

Yes. Running, promoting, or advertising gambling or betting groups on Facebook, Telegram, YouTube, or any social media is illegal under the Advertisement (Regulation) Act, 2076. Promoters face criminal prosecution, fines, and potential cybercrime charges.

Cryptocurrency-based gambling and betting is strictly prohibited. Nepal Rastra Bank directives ban all cryptocurrency transactions, and gambling through crypto platforms carries enhanced penalties: confiscation of assets, fine up to 3x transaction value, and imprisonment up to 7 years under the NRB Act.

Only authorized lotteries operated with government approval are legal. Unauthorized lottery operations are treated as gambling and carry the same penalties. The authorized body must obtain specific approval before conducting any lottery.

Casinos must be affiliated with 4-star or 5-star hotels. Only foreign tourists with valid passports can enter and gamble. Casino operators must obtain a license under the Casino Regulation, 2070 (2013). Casinos must verify patron nationality and maintain records.

Yes. Hosting or participating in private gambling events involving money is technically illegal under Section 125, even at home. Police can take action if complaints or evidence surface. However, enforcement is generally targeted at large-scale or commercial gambling rather than small social games.

Major recent cases include: arrest of 53+ individuals in online casino operations in Lalitpur; multiple Nepali actors arrested for promoting 1xBet with transactions exceeding NPR 740 million; 24-person gang busted for online gambling with NPR 7.7 billion in transactions. The Cyber Bureau and CIB lead enforcement.

No. All forms of sports betting — online or offline — are prohibited. Placing wagers on football, cricket, horse racing, or any sporting event is illegal under Section 125. International sports betting websites are blocked from Nepal, though enforcement on digital platforms remains challenging.

1xBet is an international online betting platform that is illegal in Nepal. Despite the ban, it has been widely used. Authorities have conducted multiple crackdowns, arresting users and promoters. Transactions are conducted through fake digital wallet accounts and cryptocurrency, making enforcement difficult.

Yes. Under Section 125, any person who arranges a gambling venue or allows property under their ownership or possession to be used for gambling is criminally liable — even if they don't gamble themselves. The venue owner faces the same penalties as the gamblers.

Technically, yes — any gambling involving money is illegal. However, government-approved games at public festivals for small amounts of movable property are exempted under Section 125. Small, non-commercial card games among family during festivals are generally tolerated socially, but technically remain illegal if money is involved.