The Nepalese government plans to amend Casino Regulation 2013 after operators have expressed an unwillingness to relaunch their operations due to “unfeasible requirements.”

Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation spokesperson Mohan Krishna Sapkota told the Himalayan Times that the MoCTCA is prepared to hear out the complaints of local operators. A number of operators have criticized the new regulations, specifically on issues pertaining to capital and renewal fees.

“Casino Regulation-2013 has envisaged attracting foreign direct investment in casinos and the law was formulated accordingly,” Sapkota said. “However, considering the request of local operators, the ministry is doing groundwork to make some amendments.”

Local operators have argued that casinos would be hard-pressed to obtain new licenses because the regulations enforced in 2014 are too restrictive and expensive for operators. The new regulation requires operators to have a Rs 250 million ($2.5 million) as paid-up capital and submit a bank guarantee of Rs 30 million to ensure royalty.