Can Gamblers Go to Jail Under Bangladesh’s New Gambling Law?

[Akbarkoe]

In prison for gamblers is something wrong punishment according to me this is not good I would rather like what is conveyed by _act_ to give logical laws for the benefit of others whether it is for community service or entry into factories where they will be told to increase their productivity.
Bangladesh is really giving firmness with its laws that want to wipe out gambling and gambling addicts, for the development of country is good because the younger generation will not be disturbed by gambling, maybe there will still be but only those who are desperate to do it, for those who do not want to fight the law they will obey.

[Aanuoluwatofunmi]

I was just browsing online and saw this gambling news, so I thought of sharing it here. It is about Bangladesh, and I’m sure there are some members here living in that country, so please share your experience or knowledge about this because my understanding is only based on the article I read.

From what I understand, anyone running an online casino or betting platform can face up to 7 years of jail time, but what surprised me more is this part:

You should not fall a victim of this new law because the government will definitely look for scapegoats that we set example for others to learn from.

Considering that this platform is a globally recognized forum that brings everyone together, I am much more confidence that there are members of this forum from Bangladesh, they may be few but it is not possible for you not to discover people that are in Bangladesh on this forum, they should just make sure that they don't leave any traces to gambling in their country that the government will have to trace on them.

[Zlantann]

From my findings, yes. Anyone that is found gambling in Bangladesh may be imprisoned. That shows how strict the country is to anyone that is gambling.

Muslim is the most common religion in the country with about 91% of the population. So this should not be surprising at all.

296 out of 300 lawmakers in the Bangladesh Parliament are Muslims. So it's not strange that this law received massive support. The law clearly has religious undertones, and I feel sorry for non-Muslims in the country.

Going to jail for gambling is harsh because people should be allowed to use their money as they want. The goverment should have applied other means to reduce gambling addiction.

Empowering the police to search the phones and other devices of citizens without a court order will lead to abuse of people's privacy.

[len01]

but here it looks like they can also be treated as criminals.

What can you say about this?

From what I understand, gamblers themselves aren't really seen as criminals in gambling cases. In countries where the majority of the population is muslim, there's usually much stronger pressure to stop all forms of gambling. In the muslim faith, gambling is considered something that's harmful to yourself and is prohibited. So it's really more about preventing gambling activities from continuing in the country, rather than treating gamblers as criminals.

[Onyeeze]

Since gambling is banned in Bangladesh and a fine has been put on whomever, gambles it means that gambling is illegal and against their law. Therefore, if you are caught gambling be ready to go in for it because you have been warned and a good citizen will always obey the law of his country.

Though, some of them will still gamble in an online crypto casino but it's better to stay safe and avoid the wrath of the law.

if the law has already been set that means any person that is being caught we Face the consequences, but that does not mean that people is not gambling in that country secretly there are people who is gambling secretly but they don't want make it to be open especially when you are gambling online, if you use a VPN you can bypass their network if the restrict you from not assessing a network from gambling platforms they can gamble online with a VPN so it's impossible for the network provider of the country to notice that you are gambling, I think that the only please they will caught someone gambling is when the person go to physical gambling centre to gamble

[Smartprofit]

I live in a country with incredibly strict laws compared to typical European countries. However, I read about Bangladeshi legislation online and was shocked... It's incredibly harsh! And to be honest, I was terrified when I thought that legislators in my country might introduce similar laws.🙅

As far as I understand, in Bangladesh, truly ordinary gamblers can get five years in prison for online gambling. Furthermore, the use of VPNs and other methods to circumvent blocking is also criminalized, with penalties of up to seven years in prison. The use of cryptocurrency and cryptocurrency wallets is also strictly prohibited. In short, the war on gamblers is being waged on all fronts, and the punishments are incredibly harsh!

At the same time, as far as I understand, the adopted regulations give law enforcement the right to search users' devices without a court order. This means that any gambler can walk out onto the street with their smartphone in Bangladesh and be in a police station within an hour (with the prospect of receiving a multi-year prison sentence).  🤷

[cryptoaddictchie]

What can you say about this?

From my findings, yes. Anyone that is found gambling in Bangladesh may be imprisoned. That shows how strict the country is to anyone that is gambling.

Muslim is the most common religion in the country with about 91% of the population. So this should not be surprising at all.

Ive been into Malaysia and that one is almost also a muslim country and even got a co worker there who was a muslim and if gambling isnt allowed on their religion does it mean if he got caught he will be imprisoned too cause he also doing gambling.

But if its only on Bangladesh then thats mean its different rules on each country or does it all applied to all Muslim too?

[Aanuoluwatofunmi]

This is definitely up to the government to take the law into action or by levity hand, even though I don't see a reason why they should make such sanction over gambling and as well give the penalty in this manner, I can't imagine someone having anything to do with gambling also have a dual sentence for up to seven years, this is too outrageous and they have gone far in it, people should be allowed to gamble for fun.

[Ziskinberg]

But if its only on Bangladesh then thats mean its different rules on each country or does it all applied to all Muslim too?

It is not automatic that the same rules apply in other Muslim countries. Although gambling is really considered a sin in their belief, the law can still be different.

AFAIK, it is only here that gambling itself is treated as a crime. In other countries, they are usually after the operators because without operators, people will not be able to gamble easily. So they go after what they see as the root cause of the problem.

[Pandu Geddon]

So does that mean even if you are not an operator but only a gambler, you can still go to jail? In other countries, gamblers are often seen more as victims, especially if addiction is involved, but here it looks like they can also be treated as criminals.

With a law like that, of course, gamblers could go to jail if they're caught gambling. But shouldn't it be really easy for the government to find gamblers in the country through their bank transactions?  
With rules like that, those who gamble with crypto also need to be careful. At the very least, avoid direct transfers from the casino to a centralized exchange registered in their country.

[qwertyup23]

Yes OP, you are right. According to the article, any form of gambling is punished and could potentially face prison time, as to wit:

Offences involving online or remote gambling will carry a maximum punishment of five years’ imprisonment, a fine of up to Tk 1 crore, or both. Participation in online betting will be punishable by up to seven years’ imprisonment, a maximum fine of Tk 5 crore, or both.

From what I understood, gambling in Bangladesh was supposedly legal until the creation of this law. With the implementation of their Anti-Gambling law, anyone could definitely be imprisoned should it be proved that you are either related or operating a casino while you are living or sojourning in their country.

It is very important to note this kind of implementation because you may be caught off-guard should you visit that country in the near future. While execution of the penalty remains unquestionable, it is definitely 100% proof that gambling is ILLEGAL in Bangladesh.

[DPHOR]

If the country set specific laws it's understandable that no one should break it hence they should all abide by it buy taking the necessary steps and procedures. When a nation banned gambling and anyone caught in the midst must definitely face law and if there offer is extremely higher then they had no alternative than to serve what they had violated all these while, that is why you must be active to read whatever information being shared across your localities because government nowadays do not joke with anyone especially this period where things are not properly planned and arranged.

[Zadicar]

If the country set specific laws it's understandable that no one should break it hence they should all abide by it buy taking the necessary steps and procedures. When a nation banned gambling and anyone caught in the midst must definitely face law and if there offer is extremely higher then they had no alternative than to serve what they had violated all these while, that is why you must be active to read whatever information being shared across your localities because government nowadays do not joke with anyone especially this period where things are not properly planned and arranged.

Yes, its understandable or common sense on which if its already that a law then everyone who would really be that going opposes it will definitely be facing up some charges or simply it can put you up in prison. It would be depending on what are the set regulations for this one whether you would be having a fine or would directly go to jail and thats why as a citizen of a certain country or people who do reside on such place then it would be understandable that you would be needing up to follow the law if you dont want or like on facing up some potential problems later on but of course not all people would really be that to go in line or follow such law and wanted to play on which considering that there are tons of ways for you to be able to play without being caught then they would definitely do it.

[Agbamoni]

This is like selling weed as a service and patronising the sellers. If weed is illegal in the country, it means both the seller and the consumer are all guilty of breaking the law. From my understanding, gambling is an illegal act in Bangladesh. Anyone who participates in any gambling activity will face the consequences, whether it's the platform or the user.

[robelneo]

From what I understand, anyone running an online casino or betting platform can face up to 7 years of jail time, but what surprised me more is this part:

https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/js-passes-anti-gambling-law-4212651

“According to the law, anyone directly or indirectly involved in gambling will face up to two years’ imprisonment, a maximum fine of Tk 2,00,000, or both.”

So does that mean even if you are not an operator but only a gambler, you can still go to jail? In other countries, gamblers are often seen more as victims, especially if addiction is involved, but here it looks like they can also be treated as criminals.

That's really harsh. I highlighted the word anyone directly or indirectly involved. They have to define these two words. For me, it means you are playing or have registered at a casino, but have not yet played, so you will get two years imprisonment for this. I have never seen such a harsh law for players, because, for me, gamblers are also victims; they have to be separated into two groups: the perpetrators and the victims.
Here in our country, we punish the perpetrators and help the victims. Well, this is Bangladesh. Every country is different from the others

[Agbe]

The Notional Concord used in that place anyone means everyone involved. Both the owners of the casino company and the promotors (gamblers of the casino). Therefore everyone is involved so if you are in that country you have to be careful or leave gambling to avoid problem. The government has enacted the law and the law enforcement agencies will implement it so if anyone found guilty will be persecuted.

[Accardo]

This is definitely up to the government to take the law into action or by levity hand, even though I don't see a reason why they should make such sanction over gambling and as well give the penalty in this manner, I can't imagine someone having anything to do with gambling also have a dual sentence for up to seven years, this is too outrageous and they have gone far in it, people should be allowed to gamble for fun.

In a nation with a strict law as this, it's best to strip off one's self the desire to gamble, for gamblers in Bangladesh, going beyond the country's law is dangerous, the jail sentence may be quite high, but the best thing would be avoiding the banned activity.

[CryptoHeadlineNews]

https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/js-passes-anti-gambling-law-4212651

“According to the law, anyone directly or indirectly involved in gambling will face up to two years’ imprisonment, a maximum fine of Tk 2,00,000, or both.”

So does that mean even if you are not an operator but only a gambler, you can still go to jail? In other countries, gamblers are often seen more as victims, especially if addiction is involved, but here it looks like they can also be treated as criminals.

What can you say about this?

One thing you need to understand as regards to th issue about gambling in Bangladesh is the fact that laws are applicable to certain jurisdiction through which they have authority over. And If the government of that country have placed a ban against gambling and its general operation by its citizens, then it simply means if an individual is found guilty of gambling, then he or she is liable to face whatever punishment the law has stated for people who goes against it. So what you need to understand is that this has absolutely nothing to do with an individual been either treated as a criminal or not, but rather an individual been treated for disobeying the laws or the land. So my advice to young Bangladesh who wishes to keep gambling is to either leave the country or look for casinos that can accept the use of VPN on its platform for gambling.

[Fortify]

I was just browsing online and saw this gambling news, so I thought of sharing it here. It is about Bangladesh, and I’m sure there are some members here living in that country, so please share your experience or knowledge about this because my understanding is only based on the article I read.

From what I understand, anyone running an online casino or betting platform can face up to 7 years of jail time, but what surprised me more is this part:

https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/js-passes-anti-gambling-law-4212651

“According to the law, anyone directly or indirectly involved in gambling will face up to two years’ imprisonment, a maximum fine of Tk 2,00,000, or both.”

So does that mean even if you are not an operator but only a gambler, you can still go to jail? In other countries, gamblers are often seen more as victims, especially if addiction is involved, but here it looks like they can also be treated as criminals.

What can you say about this?

It wouldn't be a surprise that another country with heavy religious ties into government has decided to ban gambling, it really is a step backwards but it's no surprise when it comes to Islam. It seems that the most successful politicians at the moment get and stay into power by playing on the extremes of whatever the political spectrum will be. I'm actually surprised it wasn't illegal in the first place in this country, but then again you see some places in the Middle East are trending the opposite direction and trying to woo casino gambling operators because they see it as a big revenue potential and they can set up laws that only prevent the locals from engaging in it - I guess there is not enough tourism to do this in a place like Bangladesh.

[Fiatless]

Ive been into Malaysia and that one is almost also a muslim country and even got a co worker there who was a muslim and if gambling isnt allowed on their religion does it mean if he got caught he will be imprisoned too cause he also doing gambling.

But if its only on Bangladesh then thats mean its different rules on each country or does it all applied to all Muslim too?

The law is too harsh. I don't think criminalizing gambling is the right step to take to curtail abuse. Maybe the government should consider strict regulation of gambling service providers. Gambling advertisement should be regulated and casinos that fail to enforce self-exclusion and accept underage gamblers should be sanctioned.