Bangladesh Targets Online Betting With New Gambling Law
Bangladesh Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed confirmed on May 24 that the government will repeal the Gambling Act of 1867 and replace it with a new law to address gambling, betting and online gambling. Ahmed made the announcement at a meeting with the Bangladesh Secretariat Reporters Forum at the Bangladesh Secretariat in Dhaka.
Ahmed said the government will submit the draft bill to parliament at its next session. In his remarks, he described the rise of online gambling and betting as a major threat to Bangladesh’s youth, economy and social stability.
“The drafting process of the new law is in its final stage and the bill will be placed in the next session of parliament for passage,” Ahmed said.
At its core, the push for new legislation reflects a basic legal gap: the 1867 act predates online gambling by more than a century, which leaves enforcement agencies with few tools against digital betting networks.
Bangladesh already bans most forms of gambling, with exceptions for some horse racing and government-approved lotteries. The new bill does not appear aimed at a regulated market. Its focus is on closing the enforcement gap left by the existing prohibition framework.
For offshore operators and affiliates, the key question is how far enforcement will reach. The announcement offers no detail on payment controls, ISP-level restrictions, penalties, or advertising liability. Until the draft bill becomes public, the practical impact on offshore brands remains unclear.
TGJ Take
Bangladesh has no plans for a regulated market. The new bill is a stronger prohibition model built for the digital era. For operators and affiliates with South Asian traffic, the risk is not a licence delay but enforcement exposure once the bill passes. The details that matter most are absent: payment controls, advertising liability and ISP cooperation will determine whether this becomes symbolic reform or a real barrier for offshore betting brands.
