Online gambling and online betting are criminal offences in Bangladesh. The Gambling Prevention Act 2026, passed by Parliament on 1 July 2026, replaced the Public Gambling Act 1867, which dated from before the internet.
This page sets out what the law says, who it covers and what it means for anyone in Bangladesh, with links to the reporting we rely on. It is not legal advice.
No, online betting is not legal in Bangladesh. The Gambling Prevention Act 2026 makes online gambling and online betting offences, and a bookmaker's foreign licence, such as Curaçao, does not change that.
Sources: The Business Standard (June 2026) and The Daily Star (July 2026) on the Gambling Prevention Act 2026.
The law
Bangladesh does not license online gambling or betting. Bangladesh Bank oversees the payment side, including mobile financial services.
The Act covers conventional and online gambling, including online betting, sports betting, virtual casinos and match-fixing, and treats websites, apps and social media groups as gambling venues. The Daily Star reported that it applies to anyone directly or indirectly involved in gambling.
Before the Act, section 20 of the Cyber Security Ordinance 2025 made gambling in cyberspace, including taking part in advertisements for it, punishable by up to two years in prison or a fine of up to ৳1 crore. The Daily Star reported that Parliament also passed a Cyber Security (Amendment) Bill alongside the 2026 Act that repeals section 20.
In November 2025 Bangladesh Bank directed all mobile financial service providers to strengthen controls against gambling payments, including monitoring and lists of suspicious accounts.
Sources: The Business Standard: Bill to tackle online gambling tabled in parliament (June 2026) · The Daily Star via Asia News Network: Bangladesh parliament passes anti-gambling law · The Business Standard: gambling in cyberspace under the Cyber Security Ordinance 2025 · Yogonet: Bangladesh Bank orders MFS providers to curb gambling transactions (Nov 2025)
What it means
Read the law before acting on anything you see advertised.
Check the country pages below.
Online betting is illegal in Bangladesh. This list is our general bookmaker ranking, shown for reference; it does not mean betting with these sites is legal here.
18+ · T&Cs Apply · Play Responsibly
18+ · T&Cs Apply · Play Responsibly
Implications
Online betting: up to 7 years or ৳5 crore
What it means: it is among the heaviest penalties in the Act.
The 1867 Act is gone
What it means: older articles describing a legal grey zone are out of date.
MFS payments are monitored
What it means: accounts linked to gambling can be flagged under Bangladesh Bank's 2025 directive.
No. The Gambling Prevention Act 2026 makes online gambling and online betting offences. A foreign licence held by the bookmaker does not change this.
According to the bill as reported by The Business Standard: up to five years in prison, a fine of up to ৳1 crore, or both for online or remote gambling, and up to seven years, a fine of up to ৳5 crore, or both for online betting.
The Daily Star reported that the Act applies to anyone directly or indirectly involved in gambling. Take legal advice if you need certainty for your situation.
No. The Gambling Prevention Act 2026 replaced it.
No. A licence from another jurisdiction does not make betting legal under Bangladeshi law.
Read our gambling addiction and responsible gambling pages, use the self-exclusion tools at any bookmaker and seek local support.
