Bill placed in JS against gambling, online betting

A new gambling prevention bill has been placed in Parliament aiming to curb gambling and online betting, including sports betting and casino-related activities, while repealing the colonial-era Public Gambling Act of 1867.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed tabled the bill, which has now been sent to the parliamentary standing committee on the Law Ministry for review. The committee has been instructed to submit its report within five working days.

The proposed law defines 24 categories of gambling-related activities, including online and remote gambling, betting, bookmaking, match fixing and spot fixing. It also outlines 14 types of punishments depending on the severity of offences.

Under the bill, individuals involved in gambling may face up to two years’ imprisonment or a fine of up to Tk 2 lakh, or both. For online or remote gambling, the penalty increases to up to five years in jail or a fine of up to Tk 1 crore, or both. Participation in online betting could lead to up to seven years’ imprisonment or a fine of up to Tk 5 crore.

The bill’s objectives state that the existing law, enacted in 1867, is outdated and insufficient to address modern forms of gambling, particularly digital and technology-based platforms. It cites concerns raised at the 2018 Deputy Commissioners’ Conference regarding the need for stricter enforcement and updated legal provisions.

Lawmakers said emerging technologies such as VPNs, social media platforms, mobile financial services, fake accounts, and cryptocurrency-based systems are increasingly being used for gambling, money laundering and fraud, posing risks to social order and financial stability.

The proposed law also provides detailed definitions of gambling venues, digital platforms, equipment and financial tools used in gambling activities. These include physical locations such as clubs and cyber cafes, as well as digital spaces like websites, mobile apps, servers, social media groups and online channels.

Officials said the bill aims to strengthen legal enforcement, reduce financial crimes, and protect young people from the growing influence of online betting platforms.