United News of Bangladesh

The High Court on Sunday asked the government to investigate and submit a progress report within 30 days in affidavit, against those involved in online gambling advertisement, promotions and financial transactions. The HC bench of Justice Kazi Zinat Hoque and Justice Aynun Nahar Siddiqua passed the order after hearing a writ petition. The bench also issued a rule asking the government to explain as to why the authorities should not be directed to remove all internet gateways from the link, application, Google advertisement, Yahoo, YouTube, Whatsapp, Bigo live, Tiktok, Like, Google Play store and electronic media. Court destroys large haul of seized drugs in Brahmanbaria It also issued another rule asking the government to explain as to why directives should not be given to form a monitoring cell for observing the online gambling and activities of those involved in it, round the clock. Secretaries to the Post and Telecommunications Ministry, Information and Broadcasting Ministry, Home Affairs Ministry, Law Ministry, Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission, Financial Intelligence Unit of Bangladesh Bank, Inspector General of Police have been made respondent to the rule which is returnable in four weeks. Barrister Muhammad Humayun Kabir stood for the petitioner. On April 16, 2025, Barrister Humayun on behalf of human rights organisation ‘Law and Life Foundation Trust, served a legal notice seeking the government's steps to close all website links, gateway involving online gambling. As the notice goes unheeded, Barrister Humayun filed a writ petition in this regard. CMC student murder: 12 acquitted accused asked to surrender before court According to the writ petition, under the existing laws and Constitution of Bangladesh, all forms of gambling are illegal and considered a criminal offense. However, due to the inaction of the respondents, online gambling has taken the form of an epidemic in the country. According to various newspaper reports, approximately 50 lakh people in Bangladesh are addicted to online gambling. With widespread access to smartphones and the internet, not only adults but also young children are becoming addicted. As a result, several lakhs people are losing their livelihoods through gambling. Taking advantage of the situation, foreign companies in collaboration with local syndicates are siphoning off thousands of taka money of taka from the country. Prominent Bangladeshi celebrities, showbiz models and stars are promoting gambling advertisements on their personal Facebook pages and accounts in exchange for money. Besides, many television and online media outlets are running gambling advertisements on their platforms. Online gambling through platforms such as 1xBet and similar casino apps is being conducted by making payments via mobile banking services and local bank cards. Reports in various newspapers have indicated that local mobile banking agents are involved in facilitating these transactions. These developments are extremely concerning and require immediate action.    

Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) in its latest crackdown on online gambling and betting has blocked 331 websites. On September 24, Posts and Telecommunications Minister Mustafa Jabbar said the government had permanently blocked 6,000 gambling sites. In a notice issued Monday, the telecom regulator BTRC said it also reported gambling and betting apps and links to Google, Facebook, and YouTube for blocking. Read BTRC: Compensation for call drops from Oct 1 "Google blocked 14 gambling-related apps in Bangladesh after receiving more than 150 complaints. The multinational technology company is taking steps to review the other complaints," the telecom watchdog said. The BTRC reported 27 links to Facebook and 69 to YouTube for gambling and betting lessons. The two social media giants blocked 17 links each and are reviewing the rest. Credit or debit cards are required to buy game chips. As it has become easier to get credit or debit cards in Bangladesh, many have turned to online gambling or betting. Taking advantage of this, criminal groups are siphoning off crores of taka from Bangladesh, the BTRC said. Read BTRC launches new unlimited data packages The country's laws do not allow gambling and betting in Bangladesh. However, completing registration through credit or debit cards or mobile financial services, many are getting involved in online gambling or betting through diverse apps or websites during domestic or international football, cricket, tennis, and other matches after.  Shutting down the gambling and betting websites in Bangladesh, BTRC aims to continue Bangladesh government's sucess in removing harmful contents from the virtual world.

The Appellate division on Thursday upheld a High Court Division order declaring all sorts of gambling involving money illegal and ordered the law enforcement agencies not to raid clubs until the appeal is resolved.

Police arrested 12 people while gambling at a place in the city’s Kazir Deuri area on Tuesday night.

China has issued a regulation to eliminate gambling content from gaming machines and devices, according to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism Thursday.

Police arrested seven people, including an Awami League leader, while gambling at a local AL office in Horgram union of Poba upazila on Saturday night.