Bangladesh Introduces Sweeping Gambling Law With Up to 10 Years’ Imprisonment for Online Gambling and Related Crimes

Bangladesh has introduced a comprehensive new legal framework aimed at combating gambling in both physical and digital environments, with offenders facing prison sentences of up to 10 years for serious violations.

According to BSS News, the country's official state news agency, the newly enacted Gambling Prevention Act, 2026 officially came into force on July 1 following its publication in the official gazette, replacing the long-standing Public Gambling Act of 1867 that had remained in force since the colonial era.

The legislation significantly expands the s

cope of gambling-related offences by criminalizing online gambling, sports betting, digital gambling operations and a wide range of supporting activities. The most severe punishment under the new law applies to organized gambling operations and offences involving the laundering of gambling proceeds through fraudulent methods. Individuals convicted of such crimes may face imprisonment for up to 10 years, in addition to fines of up to BDT50 million ($405,500).

These provisions also cover money laundering conducted through fake SIM cards, fraudulent mobile financial service accounts and cryptocurrency transactions.

Operators of online gambling and betting platforms face particularly severe consequences under the legislation. Anyone found operating online gambling or betting services can receive a prison sentence of up to seven years together with a fine of as much as BDT50 million ($405,500). Individuals participating in online gambling activities may also be prosecuted, with penalties reaching five years' imprisonment, a fine of up to BDT10 million ($81,100), or both.

The law further targets the infrastructure that enables digital gambling. Running online betting businesses, acting as bookmakers, facilitating gambling through virtual private networks (VPNs) or mirror websites, or operating gambling networks using digital infrastructure are all punishable by up to seven years in prison and fines of up to BDT50 million ($405,500).

Traditional gambling offences remain subject to comparatively lighter penalties. Those convicted of conventional gambling offences may be sentenced to up to two years in prison, fined up to BDT200,000 ($1,622), or receive both forms of punishment.

The legislation also introduces strict penalties aimed at protecting the integrity of sports competitions. Individuals convicted of match-fixing may receive prison terms of up to seven years along with fines of as much as BDT10 million ($81,100). Those involved in spot-fixing face penalties of up to five years' imprisonment and fines reaching BDT5 million ($40,550).

In addition to criminal sanctions, courts are empowered to temporarily or permanently prohibit convicted individuals from participating in the relevant sporting event or competition.

Advertising and promotional activities connected to gambling are likewise criminalized under the new framework. Media organizations, digital platforms, social media influencers, artists, athletes and any other individuals promoting gambling through advertisements, sponsorship agreements, affiliate marketing or referral campaigns may face up to three years in prison, fines of up to BDT5 million ($40,550), or both.

To strengthen financial enforcement, the Act classifies the transfer, concealment or legitimization of gambling proceeds through banks, mobile financial service accounts, digital wallets, hawala, hundi or cryptocurrency as predicate offences under the Money Laundering Prevention Act, 2012. As a result, offenders may also face prosecution under Bangladesh's anti-money laundering legislation.

All offences established under the Gambling Prevention Act, 2026 are designated as cognizable, non-bailable and non-compoundable, while cyber-related prosecutions will be handled by specialized Cyber Tribunals.

Authorities have also been granted broad powers to seize assets connected to illegal gambling operations. Enforcement agencies may freeze and confiscate bank accounts, mobile financial service accounts, digital wallets, cryptocurrency assets, servers, internet domains, SIM cards, mobile phones, computers and other property believed to be linked to gambling activities.

The legislation authorizes the government to deploy advanced technological tools to combat illegal gambling. These measures include the use of artificial intelligence, deep packet inspection, transaction monitoring systems, and data analytics to detect and disrupt online gambling activities. The law also provides for the creation of a national digital blacklist database, as well as biometric and facial recognition-based verification systems to strengthen enforcement efforts.

Responsibility for implementing the new law has been distributed among several government agencies, including the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission, Bangladesh Bank, the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit, and the Criminal Investigation Department. In addition, the Act establishes provisions for an inter-agency task force, international cooperation initiatives, research activities, annual reporting obligations and public awareness campaigns designed to support the country's efforts to prevent gambling and related financial crimes.

No direct quotes were included in the source material.

By fLEXI tEAM