Campaign to warn of new online gambling penalties in Bangladesh
Bangladesh Bank, the Criminal Investigation Department and mobile financial services provider bKash are taking part in the campaign.
Bangladesh.- A nationwide awareness campaign led by Bangladesh Bank, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and mobile financial services provider bKash aims to raise awareness of the financial, social and legal consequences of online gambling. The initiative will include television advertisements, newspaper campaigns and social media content.
The campaign warns that offenders may face up to two years in prison, fines of up to BDT100m (US$81,300) and arrest without a warrant following the implementation of the Gambling Prevention Act 2026, which came into force on July 1. The legislation replaced the colonial-era Public Gambling Act of 1867, expanding enforcement powers to cover online gambling, sports betting, digital casinos, cryptocurrency-related gambling and associated financial crimes.
Under the new legal framework, authorities have expanded powers to investigate gambling conducted through websites, mobile applications, social media platforms and digital payment systems, to block gambling platforms and disrupt financial channels.
Authorities said the campaign is intended not only to educate the public but also to send a clear warning to operators, promoters and others involved in illegal gambling activities.
