Government Increases Casino Royalties Significantly, Threatening Industry and Jobs

Kathmandu. The government has increased casino royalty through the economic bill brought through the budget for the financial year 2083/84. The economic bill had a provision that individuals or organizations licensed to operate casinos in Nepal would have to pay an annual royalty of 50 million rupees for operating a casino. However, the government has increased this royalty to 55 million rupees.

On the other hand, for games played through modern machines or equipment, the mini-casino, which used to pay an annual royalty of 15 million rupees, has been increased to 30 million rupees. The government's 100% increase has pushed Nepal's mini (electronic) casinos into a crisis.