Online bingo is strictly illegal in Nepal under Section 125 of the National Penal Code 2017, which criminalizes all forms of gambling and betting without establishing any legal pathways for licensed online operations (1). The law prohibits gambling as any game or process involving wagering to gain, lose, or win movable or immovable property, with online bingo explicitly falling under this prohibition (1). However, enforcement efforts focus on operators and promoters rather than individual players, creating a de facto toleration where many Nepalese access offshore platforms without prosecution.
Players accessing online bingo in Nepal face potential imprisonment of up to one year and fines up to NPR 10,000, plus forfeiture of amounts used in the offense, though such prosecutions against individual players remain rare compared to enforcement against operators and facilitators (2). The Advertisement Regulation Act 2019 explicitly prohibits publishing gambling advertisements in any media, yet social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram continue displaying illegal betting ads to Nepali users, reaching approximately 15 out of every 100 Facebook users in the country (2). Recent high-profile arrests of celebrities and international criminal networks demonstrate escalating government enforcement against those promoting online bingo and similar platforms through social media.
"There are laws to stop these ads, and there are legal mechanisms to penalise platforms that violate national laws. But there is no strong will or digital infrastructure to enforce it."
The Nepali government has acknowledged the widespread problem of illegal online bingo and betting, with authorities blocking websites and arresting domestic promoters and operators across multiple coordinated raids and investigations (1). The Nepal Telecommunications Authority actively shuts down gambling-related websites and applications, though enforcement gaps allow international platforms to continue reaching Nepali users through social media advertising (2). Until Nepal develops specific legislation explicitly regulating online bingo with clear licensing pathways, the activity remains technically prohibited while practically accessible to players, leaving them without consumer protections or legal recourse while subjecting operators to serious criminal penalties.
Source:
https://lawbhandari.com/publication/gambling-and-betting-law-in-nepal-case-prosecution-steps
https://sigma.world/news/nepal-illegal-online-betting-ads-social-media/
Last updated: 01-11-2025 Disclaimer: This article does not provide legal advice. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney directly.
