Casinos in Nepal

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Introduction

In this review, we'll take a closer look at the casinos of Nepal, and try to provide you with important information about the thriving and sometimes quickly changing casino scene there today. Stay with us and we’ll take a closer look at some of the most popular gaming venues in Nepal.

…but let’s talk a little bit about the country first

Nepal is officially known as the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal. It is a landlocked country in South Asia. Situated in the Himalayas for the most part, it shares borders with China to the north and India to the south, east, and west. Geographically, it’s known for its diverse landscape, from the peaks of Mount Everest to the wide open lowlands of the Terai plains across the Indian border.

The capital city of Kathmandu is the cultural and economic center of the country and is home to several of Nepal’s casinos. Nepal not only attracts tourists with its natural beauty, historic temples, and lively festivals like Diwali, but the growing casino industry is also an important part of the tourism there as only foreigners can play in the casinos under The Casino Regulation Act of 2013, and the Tourism Act, 2035 of 1978.

Now that we know a little bit more about the location, we’ll take a closer look at the casinos and explore some of the challenges, successes, and possibilities there.

We’ll start at the beginning…

The History of Casinos in Nepal

The history of casinos in Nepal dates back to the late 1960s with the establishment of Casino Nepal in Hotel Soaltee, Kathmandu. The venue is now known as Casino Mahjong.

Targeting foreign tourists, especially those from neighboring India, the industry has seen rabbit hops and full stops in growth with many challenges. While China-centric gambling hubs like Marina Bay Sands or the casinos in Macau accept Indian players, they don't necessarily cater directly to their preferences. Indian gamblers often enjoy a boisterous and lively atmosphere and like to indulge in drinks, a combination that Macau doesn't cater to as effectively as Nepal. Nepal, with its understanding of cultural nuances and its near proximity, appeals more to Indian tourists than macau does. With 400 million Indians just a day's drive away, opulent venues like Tiger Palace welcome them warmly and cater to their tastes.

Major Casinos

Nepal is home to several land-based casinos, each offering a different gambling experience. That being said, if you are interested in traveling there to gamble you should look closely at your options before setting off in hopes of finding the ultimate gambling experience at any given venue. Between license revocations, gambling venues that failed to reopen after a devastating earthquake or the economic impacts of the world health emergency, it’s never easy to compile and maintain an up-to-date list of options. We’ll provide an overview, but please keep in mind many of the venues have opened and closed several times over the years. As we write any given venue could be opened or closed.

Authorities insist on casino tax payments being made by June of each year to avoid license forfeiture and many operators seem to ignore the deadline. As of review time, several casinos were in a state of regulatory limbo which is likely to change depending on when you inquire. It seems to happen every year.

As of the first day of the year, five of the operating casinos in the country had received letters from the government warning of a June deadline to pay. The year before at least three operators lost their casinos for failing to pay taxes. Having followed the local industry for well over a decade, this is a perennial problem with no known remedy in sight.

Word of mouth from other players with recent experiences is the best way to stay on top of this constantly changing gambling environment. If you plan a trip you might need to rely on a trusted travel agent to relay the current casino situation. Direct phone calls to properties such as Tiger Resort can be helpful, as can ex-pat forums and other up-to-date online resources. Nepal Recreation is a good resource for all travel to Nepal.

Another option is simply to decide to visit this spectacular land and make your plans knowing you are most likely going to find a casino that will welcome your action. If you time your travel right, it’s easy enough to book two or three nights at any 4 or 5-star hotel in the capital and plan to relocate to another with an operating casino when you find the one that best suits your needs after relying on local knowledge. After all, who would go to Nepal simply to gamble - there’s so much more!

The casino scene is simply too fluid to capture with any veracity of information in an evergreen article - a snapshot in time or an overview is the best that can honestly be hoped for.

1. Tiger Palace Resort: Located in the southeastern part of Nepal, near the border with India, Tiger Palace Resort is a great gaming destination. The resort features a large casino with a lot of gaming options, including slot machines, table games, and live poker. Its top-notch accommodations and amenities make it a strong draw for high rollers and tourists from across the region.
2. Casino Pride This is one of the newer additions to Nepal's casino scene. It was launched in 2015 in the aftermath of a government casino shutdown the year before. Originally opened by Goa Coastal Resorts, operators of the Pride Group of Casinos and Hotels in India, it was a joint venture with Nepal-based Entertainment and Recreational Pvt Ltd to open a casino in the Hyatt Hotel in Kathmandu. Casino Tara was formerly located in the Hyatt. The Goa company sought 85% control of the venture with the local company owning 15%. Casino Pride is located in the center of Kathmandu. It has a modern design and state-of-the-art gaming facilities, offering a wide range of games.
3. Casino Mahjong You can visit this casino’s website. It is one of the most popular venues in the country and attracts players from all over.
4. Casino Royale (est. 1992, likely closed) Digital media for the host venue no longer mentions casino gaming. Casino Royale was and may again be situated in the historic Hotel Yak & Yeti in Kathmandu. Casino Royale was one of Nepal's oldest and most prestigious casinos. It offered a range of games, including blackjack, roulette, baccarat, and poker, along with modern slot machines. The luxurious setting and excellent service made it a popular choice among tourists and locals. Not all current reviews agree that the establishment deserves a 5-star rating.
5. Casino Rad (est. 2003, likely closed) This is another on-again-off-again venue, more than likely shuttered. Situated in the Radisson Hotel in Kathmandu, Casino Rad was known for its ambiance and gaming options. Rad was a good place for casual gamblers and high rollers. The venue offered table games and slot machines. Regular events and promotions kept the gaming experience fresh.

Other Casinos

In addition to the above-mentioned casinos, several other historical gaming establishments in Nepal may or may not be in operation, including:

• Casino Everest: (est. 1992) Located in the Hotel Everest in Kathmandu, Everest offers a range of games. Digital media for the hotel no longer mentions a casino.
• Casino Kathmandu: Situated in the heart of the city, known for its diverse gaming options. No current digital footprint exists for this property
• Casino Paris: An obscure artifact with no real history to speak of.
• Casino Emperor: An obscure artifact with no real history to speak of.
• Casino Queen: Lost to history, or is it?
• Lemon Tree: Didn’t launch or failed shortly after that.
• Casino Anna (est 2003) Closed.
• Casino Tara (est. 2003) Closed
• Rock International, Happy Hour, and Oriental Hotel casinos have lost their licenses for offering games without paying their taxes.
• Casino Deltin International: (est 2020) Known for its modern facilities and range of games, this was another Indian-owned casino, but this one has removed its digital footprint and may or may not be in operation. Likely closed due to Covid rather than a failure to pay the government royalties due.

Challenges and Future Prospects

Nepal's casino industry still faces many challenges, including regulation changes, competition from nearby countries, and fluctuations in tourist arrivals thanks to political instability and natural disasters. Covid closed more than one casino and the perennial problem of non-payment of royalties could end the industry someday once and for all.

New international airports and improved road connectivity can help Nepal attract more tourists if the government decides to continue entertaining the industry to boost tourism and fatten the coffers.

Conclusion

Nepal's land-based casinos offer a unique blend of gaming and luxury, making them popular tourist destinations. However, it is not a static situation and never has been. The industry has contributed a lot to the country's economy, creating jobs and generating revenue, but it has never been easy for the government to collect taxes.

As Nepal continues to evolve as a tourist destination, its casinos will most likely play an outsized role in the country's appeal and prosperity.