Bangladesh Gambling Laws Tighten as Parliament Tables Gambling Prevention Bill

Bangladesh gambling laws are undergoing a significant transformation as Parliament tables the Gambling Prevention Bill, 2026 to replace the Public Gambling Act of 1867. The proposed legislation was introduced in Parliament on Tuesday, marking a pivotal shift in the nation’s regulatory approach to gambling. Notably, the bill addresses the growing challenges posed by online betting platforms, virtual private networks, proxy servers, mirror sites and digital payment systems that facilitate modern gambling activities. The existing colonial-era law is no longer adequate to combat technology-driven gambling offenses and associated criminal activities. The new framework seeks to establish comprehensive penalties for both conventional and online gambling, with gambling laws in Bangladesh now poised to reflect contemporary enforcement needs.

Parliament Tables Gambling Prevention Bill 2026 to Replace Colonial Law

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed tabled the Gambling Prevention Bill before Parliament on June 23, initiating the formal legislative process to overhaul gambling laws in Bangladesh. The bill was subsequently referred to the parliamentary standing committee on the law ministry for scrutiny, with instructions to submit a report within five working days.

The Cabinet had earlier granted in-principle approval to the draft legislation during the 10th Cabinet meeting presided over by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. The approval remains subject to vetting by the Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division before final passage.

The proposed legislation defines 24 categories of offenses in detail. According to state-owned Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the bill clearly defines gambling, gambling premises, gambling equipment, digital assets, digital gambling platforms, digital wallets, totalizators, online and remote gambling, betting, bookmakers, match-fixing, spot-fixing and other gambling-related activities.

Minister Ahmed explained that the current law proves inadequate to address modern forms of gambling including online betting, sports betting, virtual casinos, cryptocurrency-based gambling, fake SIM use, and digital financial fraud. The expansion of modern technology has facilitated the spread of various online and offline gambling activities, necessitating comprehensive legal updates.

How New Legislation Addresses Digital Gambling Challenges in Bangladesh

The legislative overhaul addresses specific technological vulnerabilities that enable digital gambling in Bangladesh. Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed identified online gambling as a major threat to the nation’s economy, social stability and youth. Mobile Financial Service platforms continue to facilitate illegal gambling activities, with approximately five thousand crore taka laundered annually through these channels. Bangladesh Bank instructed 13 MFS operators to implement urgent preventive measures, including the identification of suspicious accounts and deployment of artificial intelligence-based monitoring systems.

Offshore jurisdiction complicates enforcement efforts, inasmuch as most gambling platforms operate beyond local regulatory reach. The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission blocked 331 online betting websites and urged international technology companies to address 246 additional applications and links related to online gambling. Gamblers circumvent payment restrictions through e-wallets such as Neteller and Skrill, which function as intermediaries between debit or credit cards and gambling websites. The Cyber Security Act, 2026 explicitly penalizes the creation, operation, promotion and advertisement of online gambling with imprisonment up to two years or fines reaching Tk 1 crore. Bitcoin and all cryptocurrencies remain banned under existing financial regulations. The government imposed a strict ban on online gambling promotion across all digital and media platforms.

What Penalties Does the Bill Propose for Gambling Offenders?

The bill establishes a tiered penalty structure that distinguishes between conventional and digital gambling offenses. According to the proposed legislation, operating online betting activities carries the most severe consequences, with offenders facing up to seven years imprisonment or fines reaching Tk 5 crore, or both.

For online or remote gambling offenses, the punishment escalates to a maximum of five years imprisonment or fines up to Tk 1 crore, or both[55]. In contrast, conventional gambling attracts comparatively lighter penalties, with offenders facing up to two years imprisonment or fines of Tk 200,000, or both[55].

The legislation prescribes 14 distinct types of punishments depending on the nature and severity of the offense. Those found guilty of managing, controlling, maintaining or allowing premises for gambling activities face penalties of up to five years imprisonment or fines reaching Tk 400,000.

The bill defines 24 gambling-related categories, including gambling venues, gambling materials, digital assets, bookmaking, match fixing and spot fixing. Provisions for various penalties, including fines, imprisonment or both, reflect the government’s determination to address gambling through proportionate enforcement measures.