The initiative forms part of a crackdown on online gambling platforms in the wake of the newly passed Cyber Security Ordinance 2025.
Under the new law, operating or promoting online gambling can lead to two years in prison or a fine of approximately $80,000.
Most forms of gambling remain illegal in Bangladesh under the Public Gambling Act of 1867, and online gambling operates in a grey area with no local regulation.
Bangladesh’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID) states that the focus on gambling stems from worries around the social and financial impact of online gaming, especially among young people.
Platforms targeted include apps, websites and social media channels.
According to reports, since the bill was passed, authorities have identified over 1,000 financial service agents thought to be connected to illegal gambling transactions. Details of which have been passed to Bangladesh Bank with a recommendation to revoke their professional licences and impose financial penalties.
Bangladesh Bank has also issued a directive to banks and financial institutions across the South Asian country to use artificial intelligence to monitor and identify merchants or customers involved in online gambling.
Anxiety over the black market is also shared by Bangladesh’s neighbour, India, following a report by the All India Gaming Federation, which detailed the extent to which players in the country engage with the sector.
The report outlined that unlicensed betting platforms had a total of 1.6 billion visits over a three-month period, highlighting the lack of effect website blocking is having to curb the sector.
Meanwhile, uncertainty is also fuelled by the uncertainty surrounding the 28% GST levy placed on the regulated industry, which has caused many to depart the market.
One of the key departures was Superbet, with the firm revealing that the tax rules make the Indian market no longer commercially viable.
