Bangladesh tightens grip on gambling networks, urges public to report offenders
As part of a sweeping effort to eliminate gambling activities in cyberspace, the Bangladesh government has begun legal action against more than 1,100 agents linked to online gambling. The move is being enforced under the newly introduced Cyber Security Ordinance, 2025, which bans all forms of gambling and related transactions online.
A government statement confirmed that “strict legal action will also be taken against all mobile financing agents, banks and other financial institutions involved in such activities.”
Authorities have urged citizens to report any mobile banking services, regular banks, financial institutions, agents, distributors, crypto brokers, or hundi accounts associated with gambling by emailing [email protected].
Section 20 of the ordinance bans gambling and all related activities in cyberspace, including creating or operating portals, apps, or devices, as well as promoting gambling through advertisements. Such offences are now punishable under law.
Sections 21 and 22 prohibit financial transactions, fraud, or deception connected to gambling. Violators may face imprisonment for up to two years, fines of up to Tk 1 crore (approximately US$90,000), or both.
Advertising companies, media buyers, and both print and electronic media platforms involved in promoting gambling will also face legal action.
Public warnings and citizen cooperation
Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb, Advisor on Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology, announced the crackdown through his official Facebook page on Sunday. He wrote, “More than a thousand mobile banking accounts involved in gambling have already been identified, and the process of shutting them down has begun. If you know of any gambling-related bank or mobile accounts, please report them immediately.”
He added, “Gambling in cyberspace is prohibited. In the interest of public welfare, the government has outlawed all forms of gambling and related activities in cyberspace under Section 20 of the new Cyber Security Ordinance. This includes developing, operating, or promoting any gambling portal, app, or device, as well as participating in or encouraging gambling through advertisements or any direct or indirect promotion—each of which is now a punishable offense.”
Taiyeb also noted, “Participating in any advertisement related to gambling is a criminal offense for Bangladeshi citizens.” He encouraged individuals whose image or video appears on gambling websites without consent to take legal action.
He urged anyone who previously took part in gambling or advertising to withdraw from such activities immediately. “Victims of gambling-related scams or fraud have the right to file lawsuits and claim compensation from the offending companies under Section 30 of the law,” he said.
The government has called on all citizens to avoid gambling and report any individuals or companies engaged in these activities to law enforcement. “Gambling is a social menace,” Taiyeb said.
“Many have lost everything due to online gambling, and some have even been driven to suicide. The government is seeking the public’s utmost cooperation to eliminate gambling from cyberspace.”
Legal proceedings are underway, targeting not just individual gamblers and operators, but also mobile financial systems, MFS agents, banks, insurance companies, crypto brokers, and hundi-linked accounts found to be involved in gambling or related scams.
SiGMA World has reached out to Taiyeb for a comment on this regarding this development, but no response was received as of the time of publication of this report.
High Court orders and growing judicial pressure
Earlier in May, the High Court Division of Bangladesh ordered the government to investigate online gambling promotions and advertisements and submit a progress report within 30 days. The directive, issued on 4 May 2025 by Justices Kazi Zinat Hoque and Aynun Nahar Siddiqua, came in response to a writ petition filed by Barrister Muhammad Humayun Kabir on behalf of the Law and Life Foundation Trust.
The petition pointed out that online gambling has spread widely even though it is banned by law. The court asked why gambling content is still available on platforms like YouTube, TikTok, WhatsApp, and the Google 바카라 Store. It also raised concerns about why there isn’t a special unit to regularly monitor these gambling activities online. The Ministries of Home Affairs, Information and Broadcasting, Law, Post and Telecommunications, along with Bangladesh Bank’s Financial Intelligence Unit, BTRC, and the Inspector General of Police have been asked to respond within four weeks.
In a separate order on 27 April 2025, another High Court bench led by Justice Fatema Najib and Justice Sikder Mahmudur Razi directed the formation of a seven-member committee to investigate celebrity involvement in gambling promotions. The committee, which includes officials from several ministries and the BTRC, has 90 days to submit its report.
Concerns over celebrities and youth involvement
The court expressed concern over celebrities endorsing gambling sites on social and mainstream media. It asked why the lack of action against such endorsements should not be declared illegal. Supreme Court lawyer Mahin M Rahman, who filed the petition, said several platforms are using mobile banking and local cards with the help of agents to facilitate illegal gambling.
According to local media cited in the writs, an estimated five million people in Bangladesh are involved in online gambling, including many young people and children. These activities are said to be causing financial ruin for families and enabling the illegal outflow of money to foreign and domestic gambling syndicates.
The rulings show increasing judicial pressure on authorities to control online gambling and hold responsible individuals and institutions accountable under the law.
