Nepal Lawmakers Push for Dedicated Casino Regulator in Tourism Bill Overhaul

Nepal’s proposed Tourism Bill has drawn a large number of amendments from lawmakers, with casino-related provisions emerging as one of the main areas of debate. The changes under discussion include the creation of a dedicated casino regulatory unit, along with tighter ownership, disclosure, and compliance rules for the sector.

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Casino Oversight Proposal

According to The Tourism Times, there have been 263 amendments to the Tourism Bill 2081 made by 58 representatives of the House of Representatives in a clause-by-clause examination of the Bill. Some of the notable amendments are the creation of an independent Casino Regulatory Unit within the Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation.

The unit would be created in place of the current situation, where the Department of Tourism regulates casinos. Proponents of the amendment say that it will help better regulate the casino industry, ensure proper taxation, and enforce compliance.

This amendment has come at a time when Nepal has been looking to perfect its regulation of gaming activities within the larger context of tourism. The amendments suggest that casino policy remains one of the most contested parts of the bill.

Ownership And Location Rules

Several previously disclosed provisions in the bill are also still part of the debate. These include lowering the maximum foreign ownership in casino businesses to 49%, restoring the requirement that casinos be located at least 5 kilometres from an international border, and requiring casino operations to run through separate legal entities partnered with hotels or resorts.

The location rule would revive a wider buffer zone than the one currently in place, while the ownership cap would further limit the share held by foreign investors. Together, the measures reflect a more restrictive approach to casino licensing and structure.

The bill also includes a requirement that casinos be operated through separate companies linked to hotels or resorts. That would formalise the relationship between gaming businesses and hospitality properties under a more defined licensing structure.

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Disclosure And Compliance Measures

Other amendments focus on transparency and financial oversight. A number of proposals call for the full disclosure of ultimate beneficial owners holding 10% or more of any casino-licensed company. They also require regulatory approval for transfers of ownership.

The Tourism Times reported that additional proposals would make know-your-customer systems mandatory, introduce real-time monitoring by the financial intelligence unit, require suspicious transaction reports, and oblige each casino to appoint an anti-money laundering compliance officer.

These suggestions point to a broader effort by lawmakers to strengthen control over casino operations at a time when the bill is being scrutinised clause by clause. The compliance provisions are designed to make ownership structures and financial flows easier to track.

Investor Concerns Remain

Industry participants have previously told local media that some of the proposed amendments could make Nepal less attractive to international casino investors. In particular, they have raised concerns about the lower cap on foreign investment.

That concern has become part of the wider discussion around the bill, especially as lawmakers weigh the balance between tighter regulation and the sector’s appeal to outside capital. The amendments show that casino policy remains central to the Tourism Bill’s final shape.

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Source: GGR Asia