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Bangladesh Enforces Online Gambling Ban Under New 2026 Law

Bangladesh Enforces Online Gambling Ban Under Gambling Prevention Act 2026 – Broad Powers to Confiscate Crypto and Digital Assets

Key Takeaways

• The Gambling Prevention Act, 2026 came into force on 1 July after presidential assent and publication in the official gazette.
• The law replaces the Public Gambling Act, 1867 and introduces explicit definitions for online gambling, sports betting, VPN-enabled gambling, and cryptocurrency-related offences.
• Authorities can confiscate bank accounts, digital wallets, crypto assets, servers, domains, SIM cards, and devices linked to gambling activities.
• Operating an online gambling platform can lead to up to seven years in prison and a fine of up to BDT50m.
• All offences under the act are cognisable, non-bailable, and non-compoundable, with Cyber Tribunals handling cyber-related cases.

New Gambling Prevention Act Replaces Colonial-Era Legislation

Bangladesh has formally enacted a comprehensive ban on online gambling, sports betting, and digital gambling networks through the Gambling Prevention Act, 2026. According to the state news agency BSS News, the legislation took effect on 1 July following its publication in the official gazette and receipt of the President’s assent.

The new framework replaces the Public Gambling Act, 1867. Authorities stated that the previous law left regulatory gaps that allowed the unlicensed gambling sector to expand. The updated act introduces specific legal definitions for online gambling, sports betting, virtual casinos, VPN-enabled gambling, cryptocurrency transactions, match-fixing, and other digital gambling-related offences.

The legislation has been spearheaded by the current Home Ministry, led by Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed. Ahmed previously stated that updating the law and adopting a zero-tolerance approach were necessary to address the impact of gambling activities on young people.

Explicit Criminalisation of Online Platforms, Advertising, and Affiliates

The act criminalises the operation of online gambling platforms and related digital services. Operating an online gambling platform can result in a prison sentence of up to seven years and a fine of up to BDT50m, which is approximately EUR355,000.

Individuals involved in online gambling offences face penalties of up to five years imprisonment or a fine of up to BDT1m. Conventional gambling offences can result in up to two years imprisonment, a fine of up to BDT200,000, or both.

The legislation also extends to gambling advertising, sponsorships, and affiliate marketing. These activities are now criminal offences under Bangladeshi law. This means that promotional networks and marketing structures connected to gambling operations fall within the scope of enforcement.

All offences under the act are classified as cognisable, non-bailable, and non-compoundable. Cyber-related cases will be handled by designated Cyber Tribunals.

Authorities Granted Broad Asset Seizure Powers Including Crypto

One of the central components of the Gambling Prevention Act, 2026 is the authority granted to courts to confiscate assets linked to gambling activities. Courts may order the seizure of bank accounts, mobile financial service accounts, digital wallets, crypto assets, servers, domains, SIM cards, mobile phones, computers, and other devices used in or derived from gambling operations.

The law also addresses organised gambling and money laundering conducted through fake SIM cards, fraudulent mobile financial service accounts, or cryptocurrency. Such offences can carry penalties of up to 10 years imprisonment and fines of up to BDT50m.

By explicitly referencing cryptocurrency transactions and crypto assets, the legislation integrates digital asset activity into its enforcement framework. This places crypto-based payment channels and related infrastructure within the reach of seizure and criminal prosecution if connected to gambling activities.

Expanded Enforcement Framework and Digital Monitoring Measures

Implementation of the new law involves multiple government bodies. The Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology, the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission, Bangladesh Bank, the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit, the Election Commission, the Criminal Investigation Department, and the National Cyber Security Agency are among the entities responsible for enforcement.

Authorities plan to use artificial intelligence, deep packet inspection, transaction monitoring systems, and data analytics to detect and prevent online gambling activities. The government will also introduce a national digital blacklist database, a system linking national ID, SIM cards, and mobile financial services, as well as biometric and facial recognition-based verification mechanisms.

These technical measures are designed to identify gambling-related traffic, financial flows, and digital identities connected to prohibited activities. The integration of transaction monitoring and identity verification systems indicates a coordinated approach between telecommunications oversight and financial supervision.

Our Assessment

The Gambling Prevention Act, 2026 establishes a comprehensive legal prohibition on online gambling, sports betting, and related digital activities in Bangladesh. It replaces older legislation with a framework that explicitly covers cryptocurrency transactions, digital wallets, VPN-enabled gambling, and online promotional activity.

The law grants authorities broad investigative and confiscation powers, including the seizure of crypto assets and digital infrastructure. It also introduces coordinated enforcement across financial, telecommunications, and cyber security agencies, supported by technological monitoring tools. For users and operators connected to online gambling in Bangladesh, the act creates clear criminal liability and significant financial and custodial penalties.