5 Arrested in Kavre Online Betting Bust
5 Arrested in Kavre Online Betting Bust, Police have arrested five individuals in Kavrepalanchok district for their involvement in illegal online betting activities, in a growing trend of digitally coordinated gambling operations across Nepal. The arrests were made on Ashad 10 (June 31) during a targeted raid at two locations in Kunta, Mandandeupur Municipality, following a tip-off received by the District Police Office, Dhulikhel.
The arrested individuals are Digaj Nakarmi, 32, of Imatol, Bhaktapur Municipality-8 Sanjeev Kushi, 28, and Roshan Prajapati, 24, both from Kamal Binayak, Bhaktapur Municipality-4 Alice Kushm, 29, of Katunje, Suryabinayak Municipality-7 and Rojan Maharjan, 31, of Shantinagar, Kathmandu Metropolitan City-16. They were caught red-handed while operating online gambling sessions at Naldum Village Resort and Green Peace Restaurant in Kunta.
Police seized 18 mobile phones, 5 laptops, and various gambling related materials during the operation. Authorities believe these electronic devices were being used to manage betting accounts, connect with users, and process online transactions through foreign hosted websites and applications. Preliminary investigations suggest that the suspects had been renting rooms at the resort and using the venues as temporary operational hubs.
SP Komal Shah, Chief of the District Police Office, Kavre, stated that the operation was carried out based on confidential intelligence and surveillance. According to him, the seized devices and materials indicate that the betting activity could involve monetary transactions worth several crores of rupees. “We suspect a much larger network behind this operation. The main handler or operator has not yet been identified,” he said. “We have involved cyber experts to analyze the seized mobile phones and laptops to uncover communication history, betting records, and payment data.”
Police believe the accused were operating as facilitators, managing betting platforms likely hosted outside Nepal to evade local internet regulations. In recent months, Nepal Police have recorded a spike in similar activities, where people use VPNs and foreign apps to run or participate in illegal betting operations.
While traditional forms of gambling have long existed in Nepal, the transition to online gambling has introduced new enforcement challenges. Digital gambling platforms allow users to place real time bets on sports events, card games, and lotteries, often using encrypted messaging apps and e-wallets to conceal their identities and transactions.
Under the Gambling Act 2020 (1963), organizing or participating in gambling offline or online is a punishable offense in Nepal. Those found guilty can face fines, imprisonment, or both. When technology is involved, additional charges may also apply under the Electronic Transactions Act 2063, particularly for misuse of digital systems and financial fraud.
The five arrested suspects are currently in police custody, and further interrogation is ongoing to trace financial flows, identify collaborators, and uncover any international links. Police are also examining whether cryptocurrency or digital wallets were used to facilitate payments, a method increasingly favored in online gambling due to its anonymity.
This arrest adds to a growing list of online betting related crackdowns in Nepal. In the past year alone, law enforcement agencies have reported dozens of cases involving young adults, tech workers, and even small business operators who use hotel rooms, cafés, and rented flats as covert gambling hubs. According to police data, many of these operations have connections with illegal betting networks based in India, China, and Southeast Asia.
Authorities are urging resort and hotel operators to report suspicious activities and avoid providing space to individuals using their facilities for illegal purposes. SP Shah emphasized that more arrests may follow as digital evidence from the seized devices is examined.
The police have also released photographs of the arrested individuals and the confiscated items, signaling their commitment to transparency and public awareness. Law enforcement officials have warned the public against participating in or facilitating online betting and stated that surveillance efforts will be intensified across key locations and hospitality businesses. This incident underscores the growing concern over the rise of online gambling in Nepal and the pressing need for stricter monitoring, better cybercrime response capabilities, and public awareness campaigns.
