Curb Online Gambling

With the advent of internet, the world has undergone a dramatic shift in the way of communication, spread of information and conduct of business. Many countries, including Nepal, are striving to digitise their governance system, economy and other areas of life for the better delivery of services and goods to the public. However, this mesmerising technological innovation has become both boon and bane for the people. It has also given rise to various cybercrimes and practices, with negative implications for society. One such an ill of internet world is the online gambling that has incurred the loss of people’s income and unnecessary stress on mental health.

A study conducted some years back shows the growing cases of mental health comorbidities and use of substance among the internet gamblers. Many gambling sites are created in such a way that they stay off the radar of security personnel. However, such gambling practices make personal data, including credit card and bank accounts, a number of gamblers vulnerable to hackers and their personal information may be abused to promote gambling sites. Likewise, online betting and gambling practises can also be exploited for banking fraud, political corruption and laundering of large amounts of illegally amassed money. Nepal has also seen a rise in the internet gambling over the years as the authorities have found it difficult to curb it in the absence of necessary resources and effective policy.

According to a news report published in this daily on Sunday, 1xBet, a Cyprus-based online gambling company, has become popular among Nepali internet gamblers, as they have an easy access to it. Nepali agents act as an intermediary for the transactions between Nepali players and 1xBet operators abroad. The gamblers create fake accounts in digital wallets such as eSewa, Khalti and IME Pay alongside bank-to-bank transactions and connectIPS in order to put bets and get the winning amount. Agents are involved in operating wallets and bank accounts, and get commission while placing bets and withdrawing the winning amount on behalf of the players. One can become the agent of1xBet by depositing a certain amount of money as collateral in their account.

An individual becomes a player only after depositing the required amount of money in the digital wallet or bank account of gambling sites. The agents facilitate in depositing the amount in the depositors 1xBet’s profile. Then the players can place bets on all types of games, including casinos, football, cricket and races. Many switched to this gambling site, especially during the COVID-19-indiced lockdown. Social networking sites such as YouTube and Facebook popularised them through advertisement. Betting or any kind of gambling – virtual and physical - is illegal under Clause 125 of the Criminal Code, 2074.

While the police are struggling to check the physical gambling, the internet gambling/betting has posed a complicated challenge to them.  Last August, Jhapa Police nabbed four individuals for operating online gambling through 1xBet at Damak. They seized 279 used SIM cards and 45 unused SIM cards of Ncell, 19 mobile phones, 4 laptops and different government stamps and papers for forgery purposes from the alleged. This indicates the use of sophisticated technology for criminal purposes. The government should equip the law enforcement agencies with necessary financial and human resources to fight the online gambling menace that has also bled the national economy owing to an illicit transaction of a large sum of money through fake digital accounts and hundi.