GOLD GAINS Kathmandu, 18 July: Gold gained Rs.150 per tola compared to the previous day. It was traded forRs.55,750 per tola. Price increased after gains in the international market. Nnnn EMPLOYEES TO OPERATE CASINO NEPAL Kathmandu, 18 July: Employees of Casino Nepal — the oldest casino in the country — have warned that they will operate the casino unilaterally, if Hotel Soaltee fails to operate it within two weeks, The Himalayan Times reports. The casino has remained closed for the last one-and-a-half years, said central member of UCPN-Maoist affiliated All Nepal Hotel and Restaurant Workers Union Keshab Raj Adhikari. “Trade unions have decided to resume operations of the casino from July 28,” he said, adding they will form a committee representing members of all the unions and initiate the process of operating the casino. He further claimed that all casinos have been operating illegally. “The government and hotels cannot take any legal action against us since they are allowing all the casinos to operate illegally,” he added, challenging the government. Hotel Soaltee — which houses Casino Nepal — and the government should take the responsibility of the employees of Casino Nepal, according to him. Nepal Recreation Center (NRC) had been operating Casino Nepal until last year. But, the then Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation decided to close down all NRC operated casinos in June last year, after it failed to clear revenue dues by June 25. At that time NRC was operating four casinos –– Casino Nepal at Hotel Soaltee, Casino Anna at Hotel Annapurna, Casino Tara at Hotel Hyatt Regency and Casino Everest at Hotel Everest. Casino Nepal, opened in 1968, is the oldest one in Asia. All except Casino Nepal are in operation currently, said Adhikari, adding they all are illegal, principally. Joint secretary at Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Ranjan Krishna Aryal, however, said that the resumption of Casino Nepal will be nothing more than illegal gambling. nnnn