Bangladesh High Court orders government to ban online gambling ads
The Bangladesh High Court has ordered the country’s government to ban online gambling ads, suggesting the government’s failure to act may be illegal.
The High Court directed the government to create a seven member committee to take the necessary steps to ban the promotion of gambling sites through mainstream and social media.
Justice Fatema Najib and Justice Sikder Mahmudur Razi specified that the committee should include the secretaries of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, the Ministry of Home Affairs, and the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology, as well as the Inspector General of Police.
The committee has been given 90 days to complete its investigation and file a report.
The High Court order followed a preliminary hearing resulting from a public interest petition, initially filed on April 16 by Supreme Court lawyer Tanjim Rafeed. That petition proposed the formation of a committee to take action on the issue.
Along with the order, the High Court issued a ruling asking why no action had been taken to stop gambling advertising, raising the question of whether officials’ inaction on this issue should be declared illegal.
All forms of gambling are prohibited in Bangladesh.
Charlotte Capewell brings her passion for storytelling and expertise in writing, researching, and the gambling industry to every article she writes. Her specialties include the US gambling industry, regulator legislation, igaming, and more.
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