Nepal Government declares casinos illegal
Travelbiznews Online —–
Kathmandu: Nepal government has declared all casinos operating in the country illegal after the 10 casinos failed to clear their outstanding royalties and obtain new licences as per the new regulations.
According to the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoCTCA) , the casinos being operated in different five – star hotels in Kathmandu are closed as the operators of casinos did not show interest to clear outstanding dues and royalty despite the government extending deadline by four times.
The government claims the casinos owe a total of Rs 1.07 billion as taxes and royalties since 2005/06. The casinos have to pay Rs 40 million annually as royalty to the government.
The MoCTCA has requested the Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA) not to allow casinos to do business from April 20, 2014.
The government introduced Casino Regulations 2070 to regulate them and make casino business more decent recently. The rule had made it mandatory for all casinos to apply for renewal of their license by paying all outstanding dues within four months of the beginning of the current fiscal year.
The dispute between the government and the country’s 10 casinos dates back nearly a decade and has featured so many deadlines, all of which the casinos have ignored.
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Thousands of tourists especially from India visit Nepal to enjoy games and entertainments in eight casinos operating in Kathmandu and two in Pokhara, the tourist hub of western Nepal.
The first casino started its operation in Kathmandu under the management of R.D. Tuttle of Nepal Recreation Center over four decades ago.
April 20, 2014
