Bangladesh launches online gambling crackdown

Source: Shutterstock

The Criminal Investigation Department of the Bangladesh police has launched a national crackdown to combat illegal online gambling.

It is one of the first enforcement actions taken under the Cyber Security Ordinance 2025 Act, which criminalizes the operation of online gambling platforms.

Article continues below ad

A press release from the Criminal Investigation Department stated that it had already identified more than 1,000 agents who are alleged to have been involved in illegal gambling transactions.

The names of the agents have been passed to the Bangladesh Bank for further enforcement actions.

The Criminal Investigation Department also warned that online gambling has become widespread, particularly among young people, and expressed concern about the social effects of gambling, which it states can lead to addiction, criminal behavior, and financial ruin.

Bangladesh’s public has been advised not to engage in online gambling and to raise awareness of the dangers and effects of the new law, particularly among younger people. They have also been encouraged to report suspicious sites or apps to Bangladesh’s online crime prevention unit, the Cyber Police Centre.

The Cyber Security Ordinance Act provides for a possible two-year jail sentence and a substantial fine of BDT1,00,00,000 for anyone violating the rules.

The Bangladesh High Court recently ordered the country’s government to ban online gambling ads and to report its progress in tackling online gambling advertising within 30 days.

Dig deeper

2025/04/28: Bangladesh High Court orders government to ban online gambling ads 2025/05/06: Bangladesh High Court orders government report on online gambling 2025/05/19: Indonesia blocks over 28,000 accounts in online gambling crackdown 2025/04/01: Philippine crackdown on POGOs halted while 947 POGO workers wait for deportation