Popular cricket-based website ESPNCricinfo may face a possible ban in Bangladesh after the National Cyber Security Agency (NCSA) issued an official warning for repeatedly displaying gambling-related advertisements on its platform.

According to Fayez Ahmed Taiyeb, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser of the Interim Government, the NCSA has sent an email notice to Cricinfo, followed by a formal registered letter, instructing the platform to immediately stop publishing gambling ads accessible in Bangladesh.

In a detailed Facebook post, Taiyeb wrote:

“ESPNcricinfo.com is currently the biggest single source of online gambling advertisements in Bangladesh’s cyberspace. Online gambling and its promotions are strictly prohibited under the Cyber Security Act 2025. Because of gambling, many young people are being ruined, and national wealth is being siphoned abroad.”

He further noted that a study conducted by the agency on Cricinfo’s ad placements in cricket-playing nations such as Australia and England found no gambling-related advertisements on those regional versions of the site.

Taiyeb also stated that Cricinfo’s operations violate both national cyber laws and fiscal regulations, saying:

“On one hand, they are breaking the law by running gambling ads, and on the other, they have not paid any income tax or VAT to Bangladesh from the revenue generated through such advertisements.”

The NCSA has confirmed that it will seek public opinion on whether to block Cricinfo in Bangladesh if the platform fails to comply with the notice and remove all gambling promotions.