KATHMANDU:- Over 10,000 applications and websites used for online betting and gambling have been shut down.
According to the Deputy Director of the Nepal Telecom Authority (NTA), Surya Prasad Lamichhane, the unlawfully-operated betting apps and websites have been identified and blocked.
“Most of the internet service providers have informed that over 10,000 such apps and websites have been blocked so far. Nepal Telecom has blocked the highest number (over 21,000) of apps and websites. Likewise, the task of identifying and blocking such platforms is continuing”, Lamichhane told RSS.
The NTA has taken the initiative in cahoots with internet service providers to implement the government’s governance and administrative reform decisions.
Among the 100-point governance reform agenda approved by the Council of Ministers meeting last March 27, item number 42 specifies blocking gambling-related apps and websites within 24 hours. As per the decision, the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology (MoCIT) instructed the NTA on March 29 to block such platforms.
The NTA then coordinated with internet service providers and immediately shut down all identified gambling-related apps and websites operating through electronic media. According to Section 125 (4) of the Criminal Code, 2074 (2017), no one is allowed to gamble or facilitate gambling. Violation of this provision may result in confiscation of the used amount, imprisonment for up to one year, and penalty up to Rs 10,000 as per the code.
Similarly, the Advertisement (Regulation) Act, 2009, also prohibits advertisements that encourage gambling or organising gambling, as well as buying and selling unauthorised lottery tickets.
Breaching of such provisions is applicable for punitive actions according to the prevailing law, which includes imprisonment for up to one year and a fine of up to Rs 10,000. The government has urged not to use or run betting apps and websites in any part of the country. RSS