The government has decided to take strict measures to stop online and offline gambling, betting and financial risk games. The draft of the new law has been finalized. The concerned said that the law will be passed in the parliament soon. However, the Human Rights Forum Bangladesh (HRFB) has expressed deep concern over Sections 39(1) and 39(2) of the proposed law and has called for its revision or, if necessary, its repeal. The two clauses propose to empower the concerned authorities or authorized officers to access, search, collect information, seize and arrest the digital devices of any person merely on ‘belief’ or ‘suspicion’. Initiatives have been taken to enact the Prevention of Betting and Gambling (Online/Offline) Act 2026 by repealing the old Public Gambling Act of 1867. The draft law was approved in principle in the cabinet meeting last Thursday.
The proposed new law brings online, remote gambling, digital platforms, digital wallets, match fixing and spot fixing under the legal definition. Creation or promotion of portals, apps for gambling in cyberspace and betting through digital devices are punishable. Besides, under this law, the way for the government to take international cooperation has been opened. Apart from this, the government has reserved the right to take legal action against foreign organizations involved in crime. The rationale for the draft law states that the old Public Gambling Act of 1867 is ineffective and inadequate to prevent online gambling, sports betting, virtual casinos, cryptocurrency-based gambling, fake SIMs and digital financial fraud in today’s digital age. Gambling, money laundering and fraud through foreign-based online betting platforms, VPNs, social media, Telegram channels, fake Mobile Financial Service (MFS) accounts, biometric fraud and digital payment systems pose serious threats to Bangladesh’s social order, economic stability, public safety and young society.
In the foreign chapter of the draft law, it is said that if any person, institution or organization outside Bangladesh commits a crime under this law and the effect of that crime is observed inside Bangladesh, it will be considered as a crime committed in Bangladesh. As part of this, the provisions of this law will apply if gambling or betting is conducted targeting the people of Bangladesh using foreign servers, websites, apps, social media, digital platforms or payment systems. The draft law says about match-fixing and spot-fixing that it is a match-fixing offense if a person exchanges financial benefits for the purpose of predetermining, influencing or controlling the outcome of a sport or competition. It is a crime of spot fixing if a person exchanges financial benefits for the purpose of influencing a specific event, part or moment of a game. According to the draft law, the offense of match-fixing shall be punishable with imprisonment not exceeding 7 years or with fine not exceeding Rs.1 crore or with both. And if he commits the crime of spot fixing, he will be punished with imprisonment not exceeding 5 years or fine not exceeding 50 lakh taka or both. Besides, the court can disqualify the accused person from participating in the related sports, competitions or sports activities for a specified period or permanently.
Meanwhile, Human Rights Forum Bangladesh (HRFB) welcomes the government’s initiative to enact a special law to prevent online and offline gambling and betting-related crimes in principle, but expresses deep concern about some sections of the proposed law, calling for revision or repeal if necessary. In a statement, the HRFB said, Sections 39(1) and 39(2) of the proposed law propose to empower concerned authorities or authorized officers to access, search, collect information, seize and arrest the digital devices of a person merely on ‘belief’ or ‘suspicion’. Without adequate mechanisms for judicial approval, independent oversight and effective accountability in the exercise of these powers, the HRFB believes it risks creating a surveillance state. An individual’s ability to access digital devices or personal information must be consistent with constitutional rights, the statement said. Apart from this, the organization mentioned that the power proposed to be given to the mobile court in the draft law also deserves proper review.
