The National Parliament has unanimously passed the “Gambling Prevention Act, 2026”, a modernised law aimed at curbing digital-era online gambling, sports betting, and cryptocurrency-based gambling, repealing the 159-year-old existing legislation.
Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed presented the bill for passage in Parliament on Tuesday, presided over by Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad.
The statement of objects and reasons accompanying the bill stated that the existing “Public Gambling Act, 1867” had become ineffective and inadequate to address online gambling, sports betting, virtual casinos, and cryptocurrency-based gambling in the digital age.
Gambling, money laundering, and fraud committed through online betting platforms, VPNs, social media, fake MFS accounts, and digital payment systems are posing serious threats to the country’s social order, economic stability, and youth population, the statement said.
The new law provides specific definitions for “online gambling or remote gambling”, “online betting” (sports betting, live betting, casino betting), “cryptocurrency”, “ghost SIM”, and “fake MFS accounts”.
It criminalises depositing, withdrawing, or transferring money for gambling purposes; acting as a representative or agent of foreign online gambling platforms; and operating gambling pages or channels on social media. Strict penalties have also been introduced for supplying gambling equipment, digital platforms, and for advertising or sponsoring gambling.
The law provides for a maximum penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment and a maximum fine of Tk5 crore, or both.
Offences under the law have been defined as “cognizable” and “non-bailable”, with trials to be conducted by cyber tribunals or, where applicable, by mobile courts.
