Nepal's Tourism Bill Draws 263 Amendments Targeting Tougher Casino Oversight

Nepal's parliamentary review of the Tourism Bill 2081 has triggered a wave of proposed amendments aimed at tightening regulation of the country's casino sector. According to local media outlet The Tourism Times, 58 members of the House of Representatives have submitted a total of 263 amendment proposals during the clause-by-clause scrutiny of the bill.

A central proposal calls for the creation of an independent Casino Regulatory Unit under the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, which would take over oversight duties from the current Department of Tourism. Proponents argue that a dedicated regulator would improve supervision, boost tax revenue, and strengthen enforcement across the industry.

Other proposed changes include capping foreign ownership in casino businesses at 49%, reintroducing a minimum distance of 5 kilometers (3.1 miles) between casinos and international borders, and requiring casinos to operate through separate legal entities in partnership with hotels or resorts. Lawmakers also seek to mandate disclosure of ultimate beneficial owners holding at least 10% of a casino business, with ownership transfers subject to regulatory approval.

Additional measures under consideration include mandatory know-your-customer systems, real-time monitoring by Nepal's financial intelligence unit, suspicious transaction reporting, and the appointment of an anti-money laundering compliance officer at each casino.

Industry stakeholders have previously voiced concerns that some proposals, particularly the reduced foreign ownership cap, could deter international investment and weaken Nepal's appeal as a casino destination.