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

[Wakate]

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. 

Something must have lead to this which we don't know what could have been the reason. Sending people to prison for just gambling is unacceptable for me and it wouldn't make any sense is the law is there to stay without any amendment.
I don't think a citizen should be sentence to jail for ordinary gambling with their money on a physical or online casino. Gambling is supposed to be a liberty for gamblers.

[aioc]

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.

Based on the article, it looks like that is the case; anyone involved in gambling will be punished. This is quite hardcore; their definition of a victim in gambling does not exist.
With this kind of law existing, no gamblers will attempt to play lest they want to be jailed, and a two-year jail term has a huge impact on a person and on their finances, especially if they have a family.

[Samlucky O]

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?

I Just don't have clue about Bangladesh gambling law, but if this is from a reliable source then it may not be far from the truth, first was Indonesia proposing law that social media will build rehabilitation center to treat gambling addict because they help to spread gambling information, now is Bangladesh has given a law that prohibit gambler and Casino operators to stop or face 7 or 2 years imprisonment. This means Gambler may go to jail. They are not exempted. I think Bangladesh and Indonesia are facing same gambling addiction problem and don't know how to go about it. I know very soon Indonesia will implement same law as Bangladesh.

[Dr.Bitcoin_Strange]

The law against gambler in that country is clear, what you read is how it is, the country doesn't support gambling and so anyone that violates the government law against gambling will definitely face the law unless the person was not even caught. So this concerns both a gambling operators or the gambler. What I am actually curious to ask is that, how about if it's a citizen that only promotes a casino company on their social account?.

[Sticky Bomb]

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.”

If this part is really true, then those of them here advertising casinos in their signature and avatars are guilty of it as well and can be imprisoned. Or perhaps it's not that strict for those indirectly involved or maybe it's within the context of the country and not beyond it.

For what I know, this rule doesn't actually prevent people within the country from gambling, they've just contracted them to offshore casinos and sure they would be using VPNs to satisfy their gambling desires

[Mhizlove]

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.

In addition, I will say that ever country has its freedom to make laws based on their religion, culture and values. Because what can be accepted by one country can be completely illegal in another, so anyone that lives or travels to such country is supposed respect and understand those laws. And again ignoring local rules and regulations can lead to serious consequences, even though other countries sees the activity to be legal.

[Shadiq]

Strictly banning gambling means that everyone involved in gambling is equally guilty and everyone can be brought under punishment. Especially Muslim countries are very strict about gambling, so the laws on gambling are also very strict. Starting from the user, to the operator, agent and everyone involved will be found to be involved in the same crime.

However, there may be room for questioning about the implementation of the law. As strict as the law is, if the implementation is not strict, then the law has no value. Most Muslim countries in the world have strict laws on gambling, yet there are a number of gamblers in those countries. The reason for this is the lack of proper implementation of the law. Only a citizen of Bangladesh can tell how strict the implementation of this gambling policy is.

[Z-tight]

I am not from Bangladesh, but the news is all over the internet. Parliament in the country has passed the Gambling Prevention act and this new law introduces strict penalties for gambling activities. Gamblers in Bangladesh would have to quit, it does not make sense to try and gamble secretly, because the risks involved is not just worth it.

The government have also given complete authority to law enforcement to search locations that are suspected of engaging in gambling activities, even without a prior court order.

[YOSHIE]

What can you say about this?

From several data and official sources (Dhaka Tribune) rules and Cyber law 2025: Online gamblers to face 2 years' jail or Tk 1C fine, because I don't live in Bangladesh so whether the law is actually implemented or not.

Indeed, if you look at the words of the local government, online gambling is proven, it must carry out punishments, as explained.

I see that there are many countries that implement laws like those implemented by the Bangladesh government, but the gamblers continue to increase, as time goes by, the laws are really blunt, especially now that online gambling is difficult to track.

[Oshio-man]

You can't fight government on some decisions and before they decide something for citizens or gamblers to obey, they have received a lot of reports from the citizens that have sold their house or business to gamble or how some gamblers have taken themselves life because of losing huge amount of funds on gambling, you think government will not pay attention to such news in the country because people made up the government and, in my country,there are free access to gamblers to have free access to gambling center to gamble as they want, but there is an age limit which is what is helping children that not up to 18 not to be see around gambling center or involving in gambling in the country.

[coin-investor]

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.

The authorities did not conduct a consultation with health professionals for them to treat gamblers as accessories to the crime, whereas they are victims of casinos enticed to play, they go right away to include gamblers.
Gamblers should be aware of this law and refrain from playing until it is repealed. I'm sure there will be sectors that will protest for the inclusion of gamblers in this law.

[Onyeeze]

You can't fight government on some decisions and before they decide something for citizens or gamblers to obey, they have received a lot of reports from the citizens that have sold their house or business to gamble or how some gamblers have taken themselves life because of losing huge amount of funds on gambling, you think government will not pay attention to such news in the country because people made up the government and, in my country,there are free access to gamblers to have free access to gambling center to gamble as they want, but there is an age limit which is what is helping children that not up to 18 not to be see around gambling center or involving in gambling in the country.

even though they have received a lot of report from the Citizens that shouldn't make them to generalize it that nobody should participate in gambling again, do you know that gambling is some people's business people that owns a gambling platform that is their own business and it is where the benefit from so anyone who kick against gambling platform that means the person is also against some people's progress especially people that own a gambling platform for a survival

[Floxynice]

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?

I think what I understand here is that gambling is illegal in the country. So it doesn't matter if you are a casino owner or a gambler, once caught, you face the penalty. So that victim mentality by gamblers will not work.

Mind you, I am not from Bangladesh and have never been. Wouldn't have known about this new law if I hadn't read it here. All I can think of right now are those immigrants or tourists who would go to Bangladesh without having any knowledge of this law, they might likely end up in jail.

Rule number one for any gambler travelling to any foreign country: "always check the gambling laws of a foreign country you are traveling to"

[acroman08]

To answer the thread title, yeah, it was clear in the article that anyone directly or indirectly involved in gambling could face up to two years imprisonment.

What can you say about this?

I can't really say much, and from what I know, gambling is illegal in Bangladesh. The government are probably tired of people ignoring the law, and despite that, gambling addiction is increasing in the country(I did a quick search about gambling addiction in their country). This new gambling law they passed is probably meant to scare gamblers who ignore the law.

[Filicius]

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?

Depending on whether it is a strict or broad interpretation, it could be understood that "involvement" means participating in the business, or simply gambling. If it were the latter, it would seem to me totally disproportionate, because it would mean punishing the victim, even if gambling is illegal. It remains to be seen whether the authorities clarify this point, or what the courts think of the cases in question.

[Gozie51]

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?

This is clearly to ward off anything concerning gambling in that country. They have not made punishment only for casino or gambling house owners but also against those who will patronage them if you patronize them then it means you are encouraging them to continue but to ensure no patronage, the punishment is also against gamblers. It means outright ban in my view and in this case, you can't be addicted. Any addiction reported.means such person will definitely be penalized for gambling in the first place.

[Fiasem20]

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?

If you abide to the law that has been passed then you won’t be a victim.Their government may be regulating the rate of gambling addiction by banning gambling entirely and set a punishment for those caught involving in gambling.Even those countries that have their government have banned gambling they’re still citizens that would be caught in the process they’re still people that would always find their way out with being caught for a long time.What I have to say is that those countries that have strictly banned gambling,my opinion is that both creators and players should desist from gambling or probably if they find more fun in gambling they can relocate to a different geographical area.

[Maslate]

All I know is that gambling is not banned in Bangladesh, but since online gambling casinos are now starting to create a legal gray area in the country, that pushes the government to approves the bill to fully restrict gambling and all its forms. Anyone will be caught will certainly face sanctions and punishment.

The government is now imposing a ''zero-tolerance policy'' which enforcers have been strict to their regulations while they continue to dismantle those local and international betting shops and syndicates. I guess this may lead banning all forms of gambling, online and offline in the long run.

[moneystery]

If that's the case, gamblers could also be caught because in this regulation it is emphasized that 'anyone is directly or indirectly involved in gambling' so gamblers who play on the platform are likely to be fined or imprisoned for being involved in gambling.
But looking at my country here, the same rules also prohibit gambling and people involved in gambling will be punished severely. However, until now there are so many gamblers here and only a very small number of players are in prison, most of them are operators or influencers who market gambling platforms.
I don't know about the rules there in Bangladesh, but if they enforced these rules strictly, it would put so many people in prison. Because in my country the rules regarding gambling are not that strict, so there are still many people who gamble freely.

[JunaidAzizi]

Every country has its own norms, culture, and laws. What may be legal in one country can be illegal in another. The same applies to Bangladesh, where the government views gambling as a significant issue affecting crime rates, financial and social problems, and family destruction, particularly among the youth. As a result, Bangladesh has completely banned gambling. The government believes that these gambling websites contribute to these issues, and therefore, anyone engaging in this prohibited activity is considered to be committing a crime. This is why the government has taken strict measures to contain it and decrease its prevalence.