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Published : 24 Jun 2026, 01:09 AM
The government has introduced a bill proposing tougher penalties to curb online gambling, betting and match-fixing, as well as gambling-related cryptocurrency transactions and the use of VPNs or mirror sites to bypass restrictions.
The Gambling Prevention Bill, 2026, tabled in parliament by Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Tuesday, would make operating online gambling punishable by up to seven years in prison, a fine of up to Tk 50 million, or both.
The bill also proposes a maximum sentence of five years in prison, a fine of up to Tk 10 million, or both, for anyone involved in the process.
For “general gambling”, the proposed maximum punishment is two years in prison, a fine of Tk 2,000, or both.
Salahuddin minister proposed repealing the Public Gambling Act, 1867 to enact the new legislation.
The bill was later sent to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs to examine it and submit a report within five working days.
All crimes under this law will be cognizable, non-bailable and non-compoundable.
Cases under the law will be tried in cyber tribunals and in courts with jurisdiction according to the Code of Criminal Procedure.
Subject to being listed in the Mobile Court Act 2009, these crimes can also be tried in mobile courts.
Any social media platforms, websites, mobile apps, server, domains and IP addresses used for the crimes can be blocked.
The court can order the closure of bank accounts, MFS, payment gateways, digital wallets, or crypto wallets used for gambling.
The bill outlines a “National Digital Blacklist” database to prevent betting, online gambling, money laundering and related crimes.
This database will have information on suspects, their national identity cards, SIM cards, MFS accounts, bank accounts, wallets, devices, domains, IP addresses, websites and mobile apps.
