Process Begins to Shut Down Online Gambling Apps and Websites

According to reports, the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology has issued a letter to the Nepal Telecommunications Authority to shut down online gambling apps within 24 hours. The Cabinet had decided on Chaitra 13 to ban illegal online betting. Communications Minister Dr. Bikram Timilsina has directed to focus on digital governance and data governance to make services more efficient and effective.

Chaitra 15, Kathmandu – The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology has written to the regulatory body, Nepal Telecommunications Authority, to close online gambling apps (betting apps) within 24 hours. In a meeting on Sunday chaired by Communications Minister Dr. Bikram Timilsina with ministry secretaries and department heads, the minister instructed to shut down betting apps and related websites, after which the authority initiated the process to close betting platforms.

Following the minister’s directive, the ministry sent a letter to the Telecommunications Authority to halt gambling operations. The authority has commenced the shutdown procedures by instructing operators to cease activities, Assistant Spokesperson Dr. Pradip Paudel informed. The Cabinet’s decision on Chaitra 13 mandated shutting down illegally operated online betting platforms.

Subsequently, Minister Dr. Timilsina held discussions with the ministry and relevant agencies, demonstrating readiness and promptly initiating action. Through the government’s approved 100-point governance reform agenda, all gambling apps and websites operational within the country are to be completely shut down within 24 hours. The government stated that this decision is aimed at preventing illegal financial transactions and capital flight.