Parliament today unanimously passed the Gambling Prevention Bill, aimed at curbing gambling and online betting, including sports and casino wagers.
The new law repeals the colonial-era Public Gambling Act of 1867, which was considered inadequate to address current technology-driven gambling offences and related crimes.
Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed moved the bill in line with recommendations from the parliamentary standing committee on the law ministry.
Speaking on the bill, National Citizen Party (NCP) MP Akhter Hossen supported its objective but warned of possible misuse.
He objected to granting police powers to conduct searches and seizures and block websites or mobile applications without court approval, saying such provisions could infringe on citizens' rights and potentially be used to suppress critical media.
Jamaat MP Nazibur Rahman also cautioned against giving police "unconditional" seizing powers, saying the provisions could conflict with the Code of Criminal Procedure.
He proposed requiring magistrate approval after seizures to guard against abuse.
Responding to the concerns, the home minister said requiring prior court approval could allow evidence or gambling websites to be removed quickly, undermining law enforcement efforts. He added that police already exercise similar powers under other laws.
Opposition Chief Whip Nahid Islam said the opposition supported the legislation and commended the government for bringing it.
However, he expressed regret that the opposition's proposed amendments had not been accepted and urged vigilance to ensure the law is not misused and that citizens' and human rights remain protected.
According to the law, anyone directly or indirectly involved in gambling will face up to two years' imprisonment, a maximum fine of Tk 200,000, or both.
Offences involving online or remote gambling will carry a maximum punishment of five years' imprisonment, a fine of up to Tk one crore, or both. Participation in online betting will be punishable by up to seven years' imprisonment, a maximum fine of Tk five crore, or both.
While placing the bill in parliament last week, Salahuddin said online betting platforms, virtual private networks (VPNs), social media, fake mobile financial service accounts, biometric fraud and digital payment systems were increasingly being used for gambling, money laundering and fraud, posing serious threats to Bangladesh's social order, economic stability, public safety and young people.
He said the rapid technological expansion of gambling had made it necessary to enact a comprehensive and updated law to maintain public order, reduce crime, prevent financial, social and psychological harm, and safeguard the country's moral and economic balance.
The law defines 24 categories of gambling-related activities, including gambling, gambling venues, gambling materials, digital assets, digital gambling platforms, digital wallets, totalisators, online and remote gambling, betting, bookmaking, match fixing and spot fixing. It also prescribes 14 categories of punishment according to the nature of the offence.
Under the law, gambling includes participating in housy, bingo, lottery, bullet, dice, poker, card games or similar games for money or anything of value, as well as investing or collecting money, property or any other valuable item for the purpose of gambling.
A gambling venue is defined as any house, room, club, office, call centre, cyber café, vehicle, vessel, aircraft, server room, data centre, digital platform, website, mobile application, social media group or channel, or any other physical or virtual place used for gambling.
The law defines gambling equipment as table games, cards, coins, dice, totalisers, computers, mobile devices, servers, software, websites, databases, digital wallets, electronic records, crypto wallets, call centre equipment, or any other equipment, records or materials used in gambling, online gambling, betting or online betting.
Cyber Security (Amendment) Bill passed
Parliament also passed the Cyber Security (Amendment) Bill, 2026, repealing Section 20 of the Cyber Security Act, which prescribed punishment for gambling in cyberspace.
Post, Telecommunications and ICT Minister Faqir Mahbub Anam placed the amendment bill, which was passed by voice vote.
Law Minister Md Asaduzzman said the amendment was necessary because a comprehensive gambling prevention law had already been enacted.
