Communication Ministry directs NTA to block online betting apps

KATHMANDU: Ministry of Communication and Information Technology has directed Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) to block online betting apps within 24 hours.

The directive was issued at a meeting held today at the Ministry, chaired by the Minister for Communication and Information Technology, Dr Bikram Timilsina.

With the decision, the NTA has initiated steps to block the apps. NTA Assistant Spokesperson Dr Pradip Paudyal said that steps were already initiated to block online betting apps by asking operators to comply with the directive.

Earlier, a Cabinet meeting held on March 27 decided to close online betting apps in Nepal. The government has argued that the decision to close the online betting apps was taken to curb illegal financial transactions and to control capital flight.

In today’s meeting, Minister Dr Timilsina asked senior ministry officials to submit action plans to provide immediate service to the public and to ensure prompt and effective public service delivery through maximum use of available means and resources. He said the focus should be on digital governance and data governance so that the public would directly benefit.

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