NTA Shuts Down More Than 223,000 Online Betting Apps and Websites

The Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) has blocked more than 223,000 websites and apps linked to online betting and illegal financial activities in the country.

The government had included measures to control online betting and scams in its 100-point agenda for governance reform issued on March 27. Under the 42nd point of the agenda, the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology was directed to shut down betting apps and related websites within 24 hours.

Following the decision, all betting websites operating in Nepal at the time were blocked. However, new platforms have continued to emerge under different names. Since the start of this year's FIFA World Cup, the NTA has blocked 223,568 such apps and websites, according to the authority.

The Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers also increased its focus on the issue amid concerns that the use of online betting platforms could rise during the World Cup. The NTA has formed a dedicated task force to take action against such platforms.

According to Om Prakash Mahato, an assistant director and engineer at the NTA and a member of the task force, the authority worked with representatives of internet service providers (ISPs) to block betting websites after the World Cup began.

Mahato said the URLs used to operate such websites are blocked in coordination with ISPs. Since it is difficult to identify every illegal website individually, authorized institutions and government agencies identify betting and illegal financial websites, which are then blocked through coordination with internet service providers.

However, the NTA faces a continuing challenge as new websites often appear after existing ones are blocked. The authority therefore monitors and blocks newly emerging platforms on an ongoing basis.

The NTA is also using a threat intelligence tool to identify and track new illegal websites. A dedicated team has been assigned to monitor and take action against such platforms.

The authority has also requested the public to report information about illegal websites through its official reporting channel at github.com/NTA-OPM, allowing the information to be updated and reviewed.