Nepal has moved to shut down all online betting apps and websites, ordering internet and mobile service providers to block access with immediate effect as part of a wider crackdown on illegal digital activity.
The Directive was issued by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology to the Nepal Telecommunications Authority, which has already begun enforcement.
Local reports said at least 16 betting sites were initially targeted, although the order appears broader than a fixed blacklist. Officials indicated service providers had been instructed to identify and block suspicious betting related domains and IP addresses rather than rely on a predefined list of operators.
The decision followed a cabinet meeting in which the government cited concerns over illegal financial transactions and capital outflow, placing the measure within a wider governance reform agenda. Authorities have also introduced daily monitoring and reporting on the shutdown effort.
The move draws a clear line between online and land-based gambling. There has been no parallel indication that Nepal intends to close its physical casinos, many of which operate near the Indian border. For now, the focus is squarely on offshore and digital betting channels.
