A bill aimed at curbing various forms of gambling, including online gambling, betting, match fixing, and spot fixing, has been introduced in the Jatiya Sangsad. The proposed law identifies 24 different types of gambling activities and prescribes 14 types of punishments. The bill seeks to replace the outdated 1867 Public Gambling Act with a more comprehensive and contemporary law.
Details of the Proposed Law
Home Minister Salah Uddin Ahmed presented the bill in Parliament on Tuesday. It has been referred to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Law Ministry for review, with a report expected within five working days. The bill outlines various definitions of gambling activities and the corresponding penalties.
Individuals found directly or indirectly involved in gambling may face up to two years imprisonment, a fine of up to Tk 2 lakh, or both. Those involved in online or remote gambling could be sentenced to five years imprisonment, a fine of up to Tk 1 crore, or both. For online betting, the maximum penalty is seven years imprisonment, a fine of up to Tk 5 crore, or both.
Match fixing and spot fixing carry a maximum penalty of seven years imprisonment, a fine of up to Tk 1 crore, or both. The bill aims to address the inadequacies of the existing 1867 Public Gambling Act, which is over 150 years old.
Rationale Behind the Bill
The Home Minister highlighted that the 1867 Public Gambling Act is insufficient to tackle modern forms of gambling, such as online gambling, sports betting, virtual casinos, and cryptocurrency-based gambling. He emphasized that the existing law fails to address the threats posed by online betting platforms, VPNs, social media, fake mobile financial service accounts, biometric fraud, and digital payment systems.
The minister stressed that these activities pose serious threats to social order, economic stability, public safety, and the well-being of young people. He argued that a comprehensive and contemporary law is necessary to protect public discipline, reduce criminal tendencies, prevent financial, social, and psychological harm, and maintain the overall moral and economic balance of the nation.
