Nepal legislators push for tighter casino oversight as Tourism Bill faces 263 amendments
2026-07-21
Source: Global Gaming Insider
Nepal's Tourism Bill 2081 faces 263 amendment notices, with lawmakers proposing an independent casino regulator, tighter ownership and AML rules, and caps on foreign investment, as the bill moves to committee debate.
Nepal's Tourism Bill 2081 is set for substantial revision after lawmakers submitted a total of 263 amendment notices, with casino regulation emerging as a key battleground.
Speaker Dol Prasad Aryal has accepted amendments from 58 members of the House of Representatives, paving the way for debate that could reshape the country's gambling governance.
Several proposals call for the creation of a dedicated Casino Regulatory Unit under the relevant ministry, removing oversight from the Department of Tourism. This reflects a broader desire to separate tourism promotion from gambling regulation and to introduce specialised supervision.
Ownership transparency is also a major focus. Proposed changes would require casino-licensed firms to disclose ultimate beneficial owners with a stake of at least 10%, and to seek regulatory approval for any ownership transfers.
Lawmakers are also pushing for stronger anti-financial crime measures, including mandatory know-your-customer procedures, real-time monitoring linked to Nepal's Financial Intelligence Unit, suspicious transaction reporting, and dedicated anti-money laundering compliance officers at each casino.
Foreign investment rules remain contentious. Some amendments propose capping foreign ownership at 49%, while others would require hotels or resorts hosting casinos to maintain at least 25% to 30% local equity.
Another area of debate involves operators running multiple casinos under a single licence. Several proposals would force such companies to choose one property or set up separate entities for each additional casino, with transition periods ranging from three months to five years.
Some legislators from the Madhesh region have moved to remove existing restrictions on casino licensing, instead proposing designated casino zones or "casino villages" after feasibility studies.
Beyond gambling, the bill includes amendments on mountaineering permits, digital nomad visas, and new tourism categories. A few lawmakers have suggested replacing the Department of Tourism with an autonomous Nepal Tourism Authority that would separate regulatory and promotional functions.
The bill now moves to the House committee stage, where the proposed changes will be debated and consolidated before the legislation advances.