KATHMANDU, JULY 10

A case has been filed at the court against 11 people, including famous actors and YouTubers, for their alleged involvement in operating online gambling in Nepal through mobile application called 1XBet.

The District Government Attorney Office, Kathmandu, today filed cases against 10 people who were arrested and one who is at large.

1xBet is an online betting platform where people of countries where betting in sports is legal stake their money for gambling. However, as any form of gambling is not legal in Nepal, police had long been struggling to control it.

Police have arrested some tele-serial actors and You- Tubers for their involvement in promoting betting through their comedy shows. Those facing gambling charges include Dinesh Khadka, 28, and his wife Anita Dhital who are said to be the focal persons of the 1XBet organisers here in Nepal. Khadka was found making financial transactions worth Rs 647 million through gambling. Police said he had operated illegal gambling through over 60 different user names and used various Connect IPS names that allows one to operate websites that are banned by the government. They have also been charged with the financial crime of using illegal cryptocurrency in Nepal.

Among others charged with illegal gambling and financial irregularities are Jalan Gharti Magar, 24, of Rolpa, Alica Rai, 28, of Udayapur, Ganesh Devkota, 19, aka JD, Begam Nepali, 28, aka Bhatbhate Maila, Marichman Shrestha, 35, aka Balchi Dhurbe, Raju Poudyal, 37, aka Raju master, Roshan Khatiwada, 29 , aka PK Vibes, Saroj Ghimire, 25, aka Dhedu Budho and Kushal Pokharel, 24 , a YouTuber. Of them Pokharel is at large.

The government attorney that has charged these people financial irregularities under the Nepal Rastra Bank Act has sought to collect a principle amount of Rs 650 million from the key accused.

The act has a provision for demanding up to three times the illegally earned money from offenders and imprisonment of seven years.

A case has been filed against the actors and You- Tubers under the Advertisement (Controlling) Act, demanding a maximum of up to one year of imprisonment and fine of Rs 10,000. The actors have been accused of promoting illegal betting platform through their TV shows.

A version of this article appears in the print on July 11, 2023, of The Himalayan Times.