Although there is still some legal ambiguity around sports betting in Nepal, gradual efforts are being made to legalize and regulate it. Due to the passion that South Asians have for these two sports, cricket and football stand out as the most popular sports to bet on.

Even while Nepal does not presently have any licensed sportsbooks, growing internet connection has made it easier for foreign operators to operate there or offshore betting sites are also accessible.

Sports betting is classified as gambling, and as per the National Penal (Code) Act of Nepal, which was passed in 1963, gambling has always been prohibited in Nepal. The prohibition primarily targeted casinos and the organized criminality associated with sports betting.

Even in the face of severe legislation, covert illicit sports betting continued to occur across the nation. However, in recent years, the internet has made it simple for individuals of Nepal to access offshore betting sites. Nonetheless, rather than being outright prohibited, sports betting’s legal position is still unclear.

Sports betting is now permitted in several of the bordering nations, including Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and India. In addition to guarding against unauthorized and unlawful businesses, the regulation generates tax income.

Even though they are still illegal, more people in Nepal who are interested in sports betting may now access fan favorite offshore betting sites found here because of growing internet access. Online betting services are provided by foreign-based offshore operators from authorized sports betting jurisdictions all over the world.

Popular websites with an emphasis on India, such as Parimatch, 1xBet, and Betway, also draw users from nearby nations like Nepal. Their websites provide customer service, banking, and odds information in regional languages and currencies and are accessible via Nepali internet connections.

However, because these operators are not subject to Nepali government regulation, there are dangers associated with offshore betting. With offshore sites, there may be fewer protections for responsible gaming, transparency, fairness, and security requirements. Instead, a lot of people want a controlled Nepali market.

In the event that sports betting is authorized and controlled in Nepal, the following factors will probably be crucial:

Licensing approved operators who meet standards for responsible gambling practices, financial integrity, security and fairness.
Taxation of operators in order to benefit from betting activity rather than leaving offshore. Estimates based on other markets put this around 10-15% of operators’ gross gaming revenue.
Strict penalties for any unlicensed operators who continue to offer illegal betting after regulation.
Advertising and marketing standards to deter excessive gambling addiction.
Legal minimum ages for betting, likely set at 18 or 21 years old.
Defining approved sports and bet types based on sport integrity factors. Exotic bet types increase risks of match-fixing.

In Nepal, cricket is the most bet-on sport by far, reflecting the fervor for the game throughout South Asia. In 2018, Nepal’s national cricket side made an appearance in the ICC Twenty20 rankings, and in 2021, they were granted ODI status.

A portion of the Afghan Premier League T20 cricket competition has been played in Nepal, which has increased interest in and awareness of cricket. T20 cricket betting is the most popular among Nepali bettors due to the fast-paced nature of the forms and the tournament’s presence in the country.

Scandals involving match-fixing in cricket were common in Nepal throughout the early 2000s. The atmosphere was ideal for corruption because there was little regulation and a large number of unlicensed bookies. Cricket betting regulations might aid in controlling this industry and keeping an eye out for odd betting trends related to mismatches.

Major Indian domestic cricket competitions, such as the IPL, draw a lot of wagering interest from nearby nations. The majority of betting activity at offshore sportsbooks catering to South Asian markets is focused on cricket.

Football and Other Sports

Although it currently lags far behind cricket in terms of market share and volume, football is the second most popular sport to bet on in Nepal. The increasing popularity of European football in Nepal has increased interest in betting on competitions such as the English Premier League.

Nepali bettors are increasingly interested in football odds and promos during FIFA World Cup competitions. Football wagering is anticipated to surge in November and December as a result of Qatar 2022 being held in these months.

Some Nepali sports enthusiasts have a specialized wagering interest in other international sports such combat sports, tennis, basketball, volleyball, golf, and basketball. But aside from football and cricket, most sports now experience low betting activity from this market.

If authorized sportsbooks open in Nepal, they probably won’t provide anything else from football and cricket. However, expanding their coverage to include other leagues and sports may unlock unrealized possibilities. In South Asia, basketball and other sports have sizable regional fan bases.

Sports betting is still not legal in Nepal, however it is nevertheless done through offshore websites. Regulation-related actions suggest that authorized sportsbooks may soon be available, improving consumer protection and bringing in tax money.

The majority of volume is in cricket betting, but there is room for development in other sports as well, such football, tennis, basketball, and others. The thriving sports betting markets in neighboring India and Sri Lanka are probably not too dissimilar from a legal, regulated sports betting industry in Nepal.