Nepal’s proposed overhaul of its tourism laws has entered a new stage after lawmakers submitted amendments to the country’s Tourism Bill 2081.
According to The Tourism Times, a local Nepal media outlet, 58 members of the House of Representatives have tabled amendments covering casino oversight, ownership rules, anti-money laundering (AML) requirements, and foreign investment, highlighting the scale of revisions before the legislation can be enacted.
The amendments have been accepted by Speaker Dol Prasad Aryal and will now move to the House committee stage for debate and consolidation.
Casino oversight in focus
Several lawmakers have called for an independent Casino Regulatory Unit under the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, replacing the Department of Tourism as the primary regulator.
Proposed amendments would also require casino operators to disclose ultimate beneficial owners holding at least 10 per cent of licensed companies, while ownership transfers would require regulatory approval. Lawmakers are also seeking stronger AML safeguards, including mandatory know your customer (KYC) systems, AML compliance officers, Suspicious Transaction Reports and real-time monitoring by Nepal’s Financial Intelligence Unit.
The proposals build on Nepal’s recent efforts to strengthen financial crime controls across its gaming sector.
Ownership and licensing changes
The amendments also propose changes to casino ownership and licensing. Some lawmakers have suggested capping foreign ownership at 49 per cent, while others want casinos to operate only in hotels or resorts with at least 25 to 30 per cent local ownership.
Another proposal would require companies operating multiple casinos under a single licence to establish separate entities or retain only one licence within a transition period. Meanwhile, lawmakers from Madhesh Province have proposed removing restrictions on casino licensing, with some suggesting designated casino zones or casino villages following feasibility studies.
Wider tourism reforms
The latest bill extends beyond casino regulation. Among the mountaineering proposals are stricter qualification requirements for Everest climbers, including prior ascents of high-altitude peaks in Nepal.
Nepalese lawmakers have also proposed a digital nomad visa framework, allowing remote workers employed by overseas companies to stay temporarily in Nepal under income, tax and insurance requirements. Additional tourism categories proposed for inclusion include glamping, astro-tourism, wellness tourism, agricultural tourism, indigenous tourism, tea tourism, workation tourism and virtual tourism.
Several lawmakers have also called for the creation of an autonomous Nepal Tourism Authority with separate regulatory and promotional functions.
Broader casino reforms continue
The parliamentary review follows Nepal’s recent increase in annual royalty fees for land-based casinos. As previously reported by SiGMA News, the Financial Bill for the 2026-27 fiscal year increased the annual royalty for full casinos from NPR50 million ($323,693) to NPR55 million ($356,062), while the fee for mini casinos operating electronic gaming machines doubled from NPR15 million ($97,108) to NPR30 million ($194,216).
The higher royalties prompted concerns from mini casino operators, who said rising fees, combined with increasing operating costs, could affect the viability of some electronic gaming venues.
Industry representatives said land-based casinos remain closely linked to Nepal’s tourism sector, as most operate within hotels and resorts serving foreign visitors. They also warned that any closures could affect employment and government tax revenues beyond royalty collections.
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