Although Nepal is running under an outdated regulation from 1967, locals’ interest is on the rise. More specifically, it is estimated that 400,000+ citizens are actively gambling, in land-based and online brands.
Since no regulatory authority exists in the country, no license is available for brands to operate. Nonetheless, many sportsbooks accept Nepalese bettors offering competitive Bonuses and markets on the top Asian leagues, without compromising safety.
In our in-depth guide you will discover the best betting sites in Nepal, the current regulation and how to navigate it, as well as useful tips about payments with international sites. Let’s start with our top 3 bookies.
5 Facts About Online Betting in Nepal
- 1 There’s no license for online gambling.
- 2 There are over 400.000 active players despite the ban.
- 3 No penalties have been imposed to players as of recently.
- 4 VPN is a must have.
- 5 Betting agent scams are on the rise. Transactions with obscure individuals must be avoided.
Which Are The Most Legit Nepal Betting Sites?
How Do We Rate Nepali Betting Apps? - Our Criteria
Are you searching for the best Nepali betting app to track your favourite matches on the go? Eager to find out more about the offering of global bookmakers? In our evaluation process, we consider multiple factors, including odds, features and security, so you can rest assured that all your betting needs will be covered.
Localization
We manually check that each bookie we recommend accepts players from Nepal and gives them full access to the same number of leagues, live events and markets as all other visitors. Whilst NPR deposits are rarely supported, you’ll still be able to create accounts in global currencies like USD or EUR.
Odds
Our team goes through the odds and payouts provided by international bookmakers and only gives the green light to super competitive ones. For example, you should expect payouts of up to 95% for major cricket events and 95%-96% for football and e-sports. On average, you’ll find around 30 to 45+ sports to bet on in the pre-match and live.
Features
To ensure Nepali residents benefit from a profitable sports betting experience, the bookies we list have a host of exciting features on their platforms. These include daily boosted odds, special markets, in-play betting, full cash out, live streaming and bet builder, among others. Sports bonuses are often also present to boost win potential, including free bets and deposit matches.
Terms
Next, we carefully check the terms & conditions on your behalf to confirm our recommended bookmakers are fair and transparent in their policies, operations and bonuses. On some of them, you’ll also find a ‘betting rules’ section, specifically dedicated to understanding what guidelines you must follow for every sport, from football to table tennis.
Safety
Finally, we manually verify each bookie’s platform to validate that Nepali residents are welcome and that VPN use is permitted, without imposing any sanctions on the accounts. The websites we list in our guide also have detailed KYC requirements, so you won’t run into any issues verifying your identity and payment methods.
Everything You Must Know About Online Betting in Nepal
Except for the National Lottery, all forms of gambling are banned in Nepal for locals, in accordance with the Penal Code of 2017. The sanctions for first-time offenders are three months of imprisonment and a fine of up to NPR 30,000, with progressive increases for second convictions. Although gambling and betting are off-limits for Nepali citizens, licensed casinos operate in the country and they’re accessible for tourists and expats.
The strict governmental enforcement solely targets physical establishments, and there’s no regulatory framework against online betting in Nepal. This legal gray area explains the rise of popular offshore betting platforms like Ivibet, 1xBet and Bet365. Authorities have a hard time tracing the online betting activities of Nepali residents due to widespread VPN use and limited technical resources.
Are There Any Legal Betting Sites in Nepal?
The Nepalese authorities only issue operating licenses for casinos, under specific conditions. One important stipulation is that they must be situated within five-star or four-star hotels, and only accept tourists. However, because the Penal Code of Nepal criminalizes betting activities, the local government doesn’t issue any license for sports operators.
On the other hand, if you’re a Nepali resident, you can find a plethora of international bookmakers in our guide that operate legally. They are overseen by offshore regulators from Curaçao, Costa Rica or Anjouan, provide increased data security, thousands of markets to bet on and a straightforward KYC process.
Betting App In Nepal
To escape the watchful eye of the government, enjoy more privacy and convenience, Nepali nationals prefer to follow their favourite games and place sports tickets on the go. Finding a suitable betting app in Nepal is very easy, as numerous foreign bookies provide one for Android/iOS, including Ivibet, 1xBet and Bet365. The apps have intuitive interfaces, allow you to claim sports bonuses with ease, access an impressive collection of markets and even receive customer support.
Betting Shops & Local Bookies
Always stay away from any land-based bookies you may come across in Nepal, because they function illegally. This will put you at serious risk of financial loss due to possible manipulated odds and payout refusals. In addition, if you are caught engaging in sports betting in an unregulated establishment for the first time, you’ll be faced with a fine of NPR 30,000 and possible imprisonment for up to 3 months.
Sports Betting and Culture in Nepal - Rundown
Nepal has a flourishing sports market deeply rooted in the local culture, with cricket and football leading in popularity. There is strong support for the Nepal national cricket league and the IPL. Furthemore, the country is home to the famous elephant polo, a unique and adventurous sport that isn’t organized anywhere else. Let’s see what else Nepal offers in terms of sports betting.
Football Betting in Nepal
Football is the most popular sport in Nepal. At a professional level, all activities related to this sport are coordinated by the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA). The country’s domestic league is Nepal Super League (NSL), which has brought several successful teams like Kathmandu Rayzrs FC, Lalitpur City FC and Pokhara Thunders. Fans can bet on the NSL and other AFC leagues, enjoy live streaming, match animations and up to 200+ live events.
Cricket Betting in Nepal
With over 3,400 senior cricket clubs and 35,000 registered players in Nepal, this sport’s popularity can’t be denied, especially in the Terai region. Cricket is very well represented on international betting sites, offering up to 250+ live events, if you prefer real-time experiences. In addition to wagering on the NPL, you can also find large global competitions listed, such as the IPL, ICC and the Ashes. Cricket betting sites will also spoil you with numerous markets for this sport, including innings and player props.
Volleyball Betting Nepal
In 2017, volleyball was designated the national sport of Nepal, and it still maintains a strong interest today. There are two main leagues, namely the Prime Minister Cup NVA Volleyball League and the Everest Women's Volleyball League. Both have participated in Asian competitions, securing respectable positions. Furthermore, The Nepal Volleyball League (NVL) is set to debut in March 2025, marking a significant milestone in Nepal's sports landscape.
With this extra excitement from locals, betting sites from abroad cater to Nepali players, allowing them to easily wager on their local leagues, alongside Asian and European competitions such as BPL, Oman D50, Spain SuperLiga etc. Some prominent volleyball markets available at online sportsbooks include total points, winner, point handicap, total sets, odd/even points etc. Boosted odds are also regularly offered by bookies on specific volleyball events and markets.
Betting on Badminton From Nepal
Badminton is moderately popular in the country, with the NBA conducting several tournaments yearly to promote the sport, such as the National Badminton Championship and the Nepal International Series. On international bookmakers, you can bet on the prestigious BWF World Championships and other tournaments like All England Open or Asian Games. The offshore sites vetted by our team feature a variety of markets for this sport, including match winner, handicap, total points, exact score, over/under, tournament specials etc.
How To Play On Nepal Betting Sites - Steps
Has all of the above convinced you that it’s time to take the plunge and try betting online as a Nepalese player? Below, we’ll uncover the full process you must go through to set up your account and place your first sports ticket.
- 1 Select a Site: Scroll through our pre-approved list of sites that accept players from Nepal. Look over the pros we’ve outlined for each before making your final decision, for example the number of sports, the bonus value, supported features etc. For more in-depth information, you can also read our bookie reviews.
- 2 Setup: To conceal your identity and evade law enforcement, we advise creating a dedicated e-mail address for betting that’s not linked to your main accounts. This can also provide more security and anonymity, as your activities will be much harder to track.
- 3 Register: Navigate to the registration page of the bookmaker, where you’ll have to fill-in a form with personal information, such as full name, e-mail address, password and country. Then, click on the welcome e-mail in your inbox to activate the account.
- 4 Deposit: Next, it’s time to deposit through one of the available payment methods to take advantage of the bonuses. Below, we’ll give you more details about the right options to choose and why. Also, check out the minimum deposit requirements to qualify for various offers.
- 5 Start Betting: Wait for the funds to hit your balance (for most alternatives, this happens instantly). Afterwards, visit the sports betting section, look over the leagues and wagering options to get started. If you’re a beginner, consult the betting guides provided for extra tips.
Online Betting Nepal - Which Payment Methods To Use
Online betting in Nepal is a bit challenging at the moment in terms of banking, due to increased scrutiny and monitoring from the government, especially in recent years. The central bank of Nepal, the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) issues directives to financial institutions and digital wallets like eSewa and Khalti to restrict transactions linked to betting platforms. Furthermore, the government also works with the Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) to block access to foreign sites.
To circumvent these issues, you can create accounts with global e-wallet providers such as Wise, Sticpay, Skrill, NETELER or Ecopayz, top-up your balance from your bank account, before depositing to your bookie of choice. Cryptocurrencies such as BTC, ETH and LTC may also be beneficial to avoid traditional banking systems.
To reiterate, we don’t advise depositing or withdrawing using your bank account directly, as the transactions can get tracked and blocked, not to mention the risk of fines.
What About Local Online Payment Methods?
Payoneer, eSewa, Khalti and IME Pay are several popular online payment methods with Nepali players, as they’re accepted in various shops and also allow money transfers abroad. However, they are heavily regulated, which is why many players from Nepal use unverified or fake accounts for transactions. This solution is temporary and not entirely bulletproof, so our advice is to stick with the other alternative methods we’ve supplied above.
Are Cryptocurrencies Legal in Nepal?
On the 12th of April 2024, the government of Nepal made an amendment to the National Penal Code (section 262A), explicitly prohibiting all activities related to virtual currencies (e.g. creation, sale, trading, holding, exchange, transactions etc.).
Although on paper the sanctions can be harsh, including fines and imprisonment of up to 5 years, enforcement is still low, particularly on sites from abroad, where transactions are harder to track. If you’re interested, read our in-depth crypto betting guide to learn how to get started and bet anonymously all around the world.
What NOT To Do
In the last years, there’s been a rise in fake agents in Nepal that promise to act as middlemen between offshore betting platforms and local players, facilitating deposits & withdrawals or helping with the registration process. Avoid them under all circumstances, because the risk of scams is very high. These agents also charge exorbitant fees and may even take your money for themselves. Instead, follow our instructions to do the work yourself, and you should be good.
The Future of Online Gambling in Nepal
While all forms of gambling in Nepal are banned for locals, it still remains a gambling heaven for tourists. The lack of the online sector’s legal approach leaves some room for optimism that online gambling -at some point- will be allowed.
However, one could say that there is a general reluctance on behalf of the state in terms of regulating online gambling. As it stands, the Nepalese government seems too busy trying to revamp the economy, and it is probably not in its immediate plans to do so by setting up a legal framework around the online gambling sector.
Gambling Laws in Neighbouring Countries
⏩ India: Online betting is considered legal in specific states like Sikkim, while in other states, the status is unclear. Although religious entities may attach a social stigma, individuals generally have the freedom to register at Indian bookmakers without significant concerns about facing legal consequences.
⏩ Pakistan: The only form of gambling allowed is a tote on horse races, while all other forms have been banned. Players risk prosecution if caught participating in online gambling. However, due to the absence of a regulatory body, there are several Pakistan betting sites operating with relative freedom. It is essential to proceed with caution and be mindful of the legal consequences when engaging in online gambling activities in Pakistan.
⏩ Macau: Gambling in Macau is not only legal but is the number one reason tourists visit the area. The land-based casinos are legendary, with high-stakes gambling taking place daily. Additionally, users can find a wide range of sports betting sites in Macau and play online.
Every bookmaker that you will find in our analysis is a renowned international betting brand. They all hold licences of some of the most strict licensing authorities; therefore they guarantee a safe and legitimate betting experience.
The law doesn’t address the online sector and since land-based gambling is illegal for locals; there are no provisions on taxing gambling winnings. Still, when betting online you may rest even more assured that nobody is gonna even bother with your winnings.
Yes. This particular bookie has quickly become one of the most popular in the country. It comes with competitive odds on all major sports and great promos. For more info, check our Mostbet review.
Online transactions of any kind are not restricted. You can use credit cards as well as bank wire. However, for even more security and faster withdrawals, you may just try e-wallets like Sticpay and Ecopayz.