Bangladesh's National Parliament has passed the Gambling Prevention Bill, 2026, introducing stringent measures to curb online gambling, digital betting platforms and match-fixing. The new law provides for imprisonment, fines, or both for a range of gambling-related offences.
The bill was tabled in Parliament on Tuesday by Home Affairs Adviser Salahuddin Ahmed and was passed unanimously by voice vote during a sitting chaired by Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed Bir Bikram.
Presenting the bill, the home affairs adviser said the legislation had been introduced to address the rapid expansion of technology-driven gambling activities. He noted that gambling has evolved from traditional gambling dens to digital platforms operating through smartphones, social media and online payment systems.
He said the colonial-era Public Gambling Act of 1867 is no longer adequate to regulate modern technology-based gambling, making it necessary to introduce updated legislation.
The new law provides legal definitions for several emerging concepts, including digital gambling platforms, online and remote gambling, betting, wagering, digital assets, digital wallets, totalizators, professional bookmakers, match-fixing and spot-fixing.
Under the new legislation, anyone found directly or indirectly involved in gambling may face up to two years' imprisonment, a fine of up to Tk 200,000, or both.
Those convicted of operating or participating in online or remote gambling could face up to five years in prison, a fine of up to Tk 10 million, or both.
The law also stipulates that individuals involved in online betting may be sentenced to up to seven years' imprisonment, fined up to Tk 50 million, or both. Those found guilty of match-fixing or spot-fixing may receive up to seven years in prison, a fine of up to Tk 10 million, or both.
According to the government, technological advancements have significantly transformed gambling activities, creating new risks to public order, social stability, mental health and financial security.
Law enforcement agencies and cybercrime investigators have long warned about the growing influence of online betting syndicates operating through foreign-based websites, social media platforms and messaging applications.
The home affairs adviser said online gambling is no longer merely a social concern but has become a major cyber security and financial crime issue. He warned that many gambling platforms collect users' sensitive personal data and may facilitate money laundering, underscoring the importance of effective enforcement of the new law.
Experts, however, said legislation alone would not be sufficient to eliminate online gambling. They stressed the need for coordinated efforts involving financial regulators, the telecommunications authority, law enforcement agencies and international technology companies.
They also emphasized that blocking illegal gambling websites, monitoring suspicious financial transactions, increasing digital awareness and conducting public awareness campaigns would be essential for the law's successful implementation.
