Bangladesh, officially known as the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, is a country in South Asia and is among the most populous nations in the world. Since the country was under British rule for a long time, the laws regulating gambling were established in 1867, when Bangladesh was still part of the British Empire.
If you want a simple answer to whether gambling is legal in Bangladesh, unfortunately, the answer is no. Although the existing laws are outdated, they still apply to every form of gambling and deem all of them illegal. Lotteries and horse racing wagers are excluded from these restrictions because they fall under the category of “games of skill,” along with several other games.
The main issue with the laws that regulate gambling is that they are outdated, providing no clear definition of gambling or online gambling. This makes the regulation of such activities extremely vague, and individuals in Bangladesh often look for loopholes that allow them to enjoy their favorite forms of gambling in one way or another.
History of Gambling in Bangladesh
As Bangladesh was under British rule, it is no surprise that many of the country’s laws have been heavily influenced by British culture and views. Gambling is no exception, with the activity still regulated by a law enacted in 1867. Moreover, because 90% of the population in Bangladesh is Muslim, it is understandable that gambling has not been legalized, as it is frowned upon by Sharia law.
Not only is the history of gambling in Bangladesh almost nonexistent, but it is also unlikely that the current laws will change to allow less conservative regulation of the sector. While all forms of gambling are illegal in Bangladesh, bets on horse races are the sole exception. To place wagers on horse races, however, bettors must place their bets on the day the race is held. In addition, wagers must be placed with authorized bookmakers in the dedicated locations that accept bets on horse races.
Although most forms of gambling are illegal in Bangladesh, the outdated law provides no clear definition of online gambling or the penalties one may face for participating in it.
Gambling Regulations in Bangladesh
As already mentioned, the law regulating gambling in Bangladesh is outdated. The Public Gambling Act, which governs gambling in the country, was enacted in 1867 when Bangladesh was under British rule. The Act was initially an Indian law that was later adopted by Pakistan as well. After amendments to sections 3 and 4, and the repeal of section 2, the Public Gambling Act was also adopted in Bangladesh.
In addition to the Public Gambling Act, the Constitution of Bangladesh also provides a few guidelines for regulating gambling. According to the Constitution, the state is required to implement “measures to prevent prostitution and gambling.” Despite that, cafes, restaurants, and pool clubs have become regular gathering spots for gamblers, and local authorities often raid these locations.
Online Gambling in Bangladesh
Because the Public Gambling Act was enacted when Bangladesh was under British rule, it contains no definitions of online gambling or how it should be regulated. The absence of such clauses gives many Bangladeshis the opportunity to participate in different forms of gambling on foreign websites.
The lack of a local regulatory authority is another reason why online gambling is more popular in the country. While no online casinos are licensed in Bangladesh, many players can join foreign websites where they can wager on various casino games or bet on major sporting events.
Although online gambling is not specifically covered by the current laws, placing wagers online is still illegal for Bangladeshi players. What is more, there is no way for operators to apply for a license that would allow them to offer any form of online gambling to people based in Bangladesh. Any individual caught building a gambling venue will be prosecuted and can face severe penalties. That said, because the laws are vague when it comes to online gambling, various gaming sites still accept Bangladeshi players.
Closing Thoughts
It is clear that the law regulating gambling in Bangladesh is outdated and severely lacking when it comes to online gambling. While most forms of gambling remain illegal in the country, legal loopholes allow Bangladeshis to join various foreign websites where they can wager on different casino games.
Not only is the outdated Public Gambling Act incapable of regulating online gambling, but any applicable punishments are also disproportionate to the income one can earn from offshore gaming. With some players having the chance to win millions in prize money, a fine of BDT500 is not a significant deterrent for those willing to take the risk of gambling online.
Because offshore gaming sites that welcome Bangladeshis are based in foreign countries, local laws are not applicable, and there are still no cases of players from Bangladesh being prosecuted for gambling online. With no relevant laws, this remains an unregulated industry, and unfortunately, there are no signs that Bangladesh will amend its current laws.
A complete ban on gambling will certainly not solve the issue, especially with the increasing popularity of online gambling in Bangladesh. Instead, the country needs to update its laws and properly implement gambling regulations. That said, there have been no indications that Bangladesh will amend its current gambling laws anytime soon.