Nepal begins process to shut down casinos for tax evasion
"We have recommended the tourism ministry revoke the licenses of eight casinos that have failed to pay the dues worth 30 million rupees (US$ 4.9 million)," an official of the DRI said.
"We have started necessary procedures to take action against the casinos," Laxman Bhattarai, spokesperson of the ministry, was quoted as saying by the Republica newspaper after the ministry received DRI´s letter.
The failure of the casinos to clear tax liabilities within the 35-day deadline, which expired on Friday 13th of February, forced the DRI to move against the casinos, the report said.
Even though gambling is illegal in Nepal, eight hotels in the capital and two in the popular tourist town of Pokhara run casinos under special government permits that bars local people.
DRI started the investigation as per the directive of the Public Accounts Committee of parliament and has asked the MoTCA to take action against Casino Rad, Casino Venus, Casino Grand, Royal Casino, Anna Casino, Casino Shangri-La, Fulbari Casino and Casino Nepal.
The MoTCA has also prepared a draft regulation to streamline licensing process of casinos as per the directives of the PAC.
Presently, only five-star hotels are entitled to operate casinos on their premises. According to the new draft, licenses would be granted to casinos, not to the hotels as is currently practiced to run gambling, nepalnews online said.
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