Making a fast-moving digital market that the state is struggling to control, a sudden wave of offshore gambling apps has entered Nepal.
Months after India restricted online betting, Nepal is now facing a sharp rise in online gambling activity. In spite of the long-standing prohibition on gambling for citizens, offshore platforms registered in Curaçao, as well as similar jurisdictions are promoting sports betting, as well as casino games directly to Nepali users. The situation has exposed enforcement gaps and raised questions about how fast operators can scale when oversight falls behind.
The apps have used influencers, cash offers, as well as local imagery to reach Nepali audiences.
Platforms like K88 of Khalti, JW8 Nepal, and JayaBazi Online Casino are advertising heavily on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, as well as local influencer channels. Promoters film many campaigns at popular Nepali landmarks and present them in the local language. Numerous operators encourage referral schemes that reward users for bringing in new players, making quick viral growth.
Even though citizens cannot gamble online, these apps use domestic banking routes for deposits and withdrawals. Nepal only lets gambling in licensed casinos and only for foreign visitors. The mismatch between the law and current activity has made room for offshore brands to operate openly in public feeds.
Every year, arrest numbers have grown as cross-border networks become more organized.
Police records show that online gambling cases have risen sharply. In 2020 and 2021, authorities reported only two arrests. That figure climbed in 2023 and 2024 to 147 cases. A lot of incidents involved foreign nationals or cross-border betting groups connecting Nepal, India, as well as other regions.
According to officers at the Central Investigation Bureau and Cyber Bureau, they investigate severe cases and respond to complaints. Yet, enforcement remains reactive. With Nepal becoming a convenient target market, this has let offshore operators to expand rapidly after the ban in India.
