The Government of Bangladesh is preparing to completely repeal its colonial-era Gambling Act of 1867, replacing it with a modern, highly restrictive legal framework designed to criminalize online gambling, digital sports betting, and cyber-based wagering networks.
Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed confirmed that the draft legislation has reached its final stage of technical review and will be formally placed before parliament during its next upcoming session for immediate approval.
A Modern Legal Shield Against Digital Risk
Minister Ahmed disclosed the upcoming legislative roadmap during a structural interaction program conducted with executive members of the Bangladesh Secretariat Reporters Forum (BSRF) at the central Bangladesh Secretariat headquarters.
He explained that the state must replace the 159-year-old statute because it is entirely obsolete, lacking any legal mechanisms to address the sophisticated technological realities of mobile gambling networks, international crypto-wagering apps, and illicit peer-to-peer betting systems.
The Home Minister emphasized that unrestricted online gambling has rapidly evolved into an acute threat to the state’s young population, national financial stability, and broader cyber security corridors, requiring an unyielding legislative response built on modern technical definitions.
Addressing Broad-Scale Cyber Governance
During the media event, Salahuddin Ahmed also discussed wider issues connected to unregulated digital consumer behavior, airing concerns over the spreading of fake news, algorithmic manipulation, and coordinated disinformation campaigns on major social media channels that damage family values and the country’s international image.
While emphasizing that a free press remains an essential pillar to drive social development, the minister noted that imposing reasonable, constitutional limitations on the freedom of expression is fully acceptable to preserve Bangladesh’s national security.
The high-level discussion was chaired by BSRF President Masudul Hoque, with Principal Information Officer Syed Abdal Ahmed attending as special guest, and BSRF General Secretary Ubaidullah Badal moderating the panel, drawing reporters from across major print, television, and online media networks as Bangladesh prepares to activate its strict anti-iGaming framework.
