Gambling is broadly prohibited in Bangladesh under the Public Gambling Act of 1867, with few exceptions such as horse racing.
There is no local licensing regime for gambling operators, and all casinos and betting establishments are illegal.
Online gambling is not specifically regulated, creating a legal gray area; most online activity occurs via offshore platforms.
The government actively blocks gambling websites and apps, and has urged tech companies to restrict gambling-related content.
Lotteries may be operated by recognized entities, but other forms of gambling and betting remain strictly forbidden.
No formal taxation framework exists for gambling due to its illegal status, and proceeds from gambling are not recognized as legal income.
Use of cryptocurrencies for gambling or any purpose is banned, with severe penalties for violations under anti-money laundering laws.
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Legislation
Primary Legislation
The core legal framework governing gambling in Bangladesh is established by the following key laws:
The Public Gambling Act, 1867: This is the principal legislation regulating gambling in Bangladesh. It prohibits the operation and visiting of common gaming houses and most forms of betting and gaming activities. The Act broadly bans public gambling and the maintenance of gambling establishments, with limited exceptions such as authorized horse racing. The law was enacted during the British colonial period and remains the primary statute governing gambling activities in the country. Its provisions, however, do not specifically address online gambling, leading to legal ambiguities regarding digital and remote betting platforms.
The Penal Code, 1860: Section 294A of the Penal Code addresses the keeping of lottery offices and is sometimes applied in cases involving illegal lotteries or gambling operations.
The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (Amendment) Ordinance, 1976: Section 92 of this ordinance provides additional measures against gambling within the jurisdiction of Dhaka, supporting enforcement of the broader national prohibitions.
The Constitution of Bangladesh, Article 18(2): While not directly enforceable in courts, this constitutional provision directs the state to adopt effective measures to prevent gambling, reflecting a policy stance against gambling activities.
Money Laundering Prevention Act, 2012: This Act is used to address financial crimes associated with gambling, particularly in cases involving illegal betting and online gambling operations, by targeting proceeds derived from such activities.
Together, these laws form a strict legal environment in which most forms of gambling are prohibited, with only narrow exceptions and no explicit provisions for online gambling or modern digital betting activities.
Regulatory Authority
Bangladesh does not have a dedicated gambling regulatory authority. Oversight and enforcement responsibilities are distributed among several government bodies, each addressing different aspects of illegal gambling and its related offenses:
Bangladesh Police: Responsible for enforcing the Public Gambling Act, 1867, and conducting raids and investigations against illegal gambling operations.
Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC): Monitors and blocks access to illegal online gambling websites and applications, and coordinates with technology companies to restrict gambling-related digital content.
Bangladesh Bank and its Financial Intelligence Unit: Oversees financial transactions, particularly in relation to money laundering and the use of gambling proceeds, under the Money Laundering Prevention Act.
Ministry of Home Affairs: Provides overall policy guidance and coordination for enforcement actions against illegal gambling activities.
Bangladesh Race Control Authority (BRCA): Specifically regulates authorized horse racing, which is the main exception to the general gambling prohibition.
These authorities operate within their respective mandates to enforce existing laws, prevent illegal gambling, and address associated financial crimes, but there is no centralized regulatory body dedicated exclusively to gambling oversight in Bangladesh.
License Types
Gambling Licensing System in Bangladesh
Bangladesh does not have a formal or recognized gambling licensing system for either land-based or online gambling operators. The regulatory environment is defined by a general prohibition on gambling, with very limited exceptions. Below is a detailed overview of the current situation regarding licensing procedures, types, requirements, and costs.
Types of Licenses Available
General Gambling Licenses: No general gambling licenses are issued for casinos, betting shops, or online gambling platforms for domestic or foreign operators.
Online Gambling Licenses: There is no system for licensing online gambling operators within Bangladesh. All forms of online gambling are considered illegal, and there is no regulatory authority to issue such licenses.
Lottery Licenses: Certain recognized entities may be permitted to operate lotteries, but these are exceptional and strictly regulated by the government. This is the only form of gambling with a limited, government-controlled licensing process.
Horse Racing: Horse racing is the only gambling activity explicitly permitted under Bangladeshi law, but even here, there is no transparent, open licensing regime for commercial operators.
Application Process
No formal application process exists for gambling licenses for casinos, betting, or online gambling.
Lotteries operated by recognized entities may require government approval, but the process is not publicly documented or accessible to private operators.
There is no online portal, application form, or regulatory authority accepting or processing gambling license applications.
License Duration and Renewal
As there is no licensing system for gambling, there are no provisions for license duration, renewal, or expiration for gambling operators.
Any permissions granted for lotteries are at the discretion of the relevant government authority and are not part of a standardized renewal process.
Eligibility Criteria
No eligibility criteria exist for gambling operators, as no licenses are available for application or issuance.
Entities seeking to operate government-approved lotteries must be recognized by the government, but the criteria for such recognition are not publicly available.
Licensing Costs and Financial Requirements
There are no published fees, financial requirements, or costs associated with obtaining a gambling license in Bangladesh, as no such licenses are issued.
For government-approved lotteries, any costs or fees are determined on a case-by-case basis and are not publicly disclosed.
Key Requirements for Obtaining and Maintaining a License
No requirements exist for obtaining or maintaining a gambling license in Bangladesh, as the activity is not recognized or regulated through a licensing framework.
For the very limited lottery operations permitted, requirements are set by the government on an ad hoc basis and are not published for public or commercial application.
Summary Table: Gambling Licensing in Bangladesh
Activity Type
License Available?
Application Process
Duration/Renewal
Costs/Fees
Key Requirements
Casinos/Betting Shops
No
Not applicable
Not applicable
Not applicable
Not applicable
Online Gambling
No
Not applicable
Not applicable
Not applicable
Not applicable
Lotteries
Exceptionally, for recognized entities
Government approval (not public)
Discretionary
Not public
Government recognition required
Horse Racing
Permitted, but no open licensing
Not public
Not public
Not public
Not public
Conclusion
Bangladesh does not operate a gambling licensing system for commercial operators. All forms of gambling, except for certain government-approved lotteries and horse racing, are prohibited and unregulated. There is no application process, fee structure, or eligibility criteria for gambling licenses, and no regulatory authority is empowered to issue or manage such licenses. All gambling operators targeting Bangladeshi residents do so without local authorization, often relying on licenses from foreign jurisdictions, which have no legal standing within Bangladesh.
Gambling Tax
Tax Rates for Gambling Operators in Bangladesh
Currently, there is no formal taxation system specifically for gambling operators in Bangladesh. Gambling, with the exception of certain state-run lotteries and horse racing, is broadly prohibited under the Public Gambling Act of 1867. There are no licensed or regulated gambling operators based in Bangladesh, and as such, there are no official tax rates or tax categories established for gambling businesses, whether land-based or online.
Basis for Taxation
There is no defined tax base for gambling activities in Bangladesh, such as Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR), turnover, or other industry-standard measures, because no legal framework exists for the operation or taxation of gambling businesses.
For state-run lotteries and horse racing, any revenue generated is managed directly by government authorities, and proceeds are typically allocated to public funds or specific causes. However, explicit tax rates or structures for these activities are not publicly detailed.
Tax Reporting and Payment Requirements
Since gambling operators are not legally recognized or licensed in Bangladesh, there are no tax reporting or payment obligations for such entities.
There are no procedures for filing gambling-related tax returns, making advance payments, or submitting periodic reports to tax authorities for gambling operations.
For illegal or unregulated gambling activities, authorities may pursue action under anti-money laundering laws or general tax evasion statutes, but these are not specific to gambling taxation.
Tax Incentives, Exemptions, and Special Provisions
No tax incentives, exemptions, or special provisions exist for gambling operators, as the activity is not legally sanctioned or taxed.
State-run lotteries and horse racing may be exempt from certain taxes as government-administered activities, but details are not specified in public sources.
Summary Table: Gambling Operator Taxation in Bangladesh
Type of Gambling
Tax Rate
Tax Base
Reporting/Payment Requirements
Incentives/Exemptions
Land-based Casinos/Betting
Not applicable
Not applicable
Not applicable
Not applicable
Online Gambling
Not applicable
Not applicable
Not applicable
Not applicable
State-run Lottery
Not specified
Government revenue
Managed by government
Operated as public fund
Horse Racing
Not specified
Government revenue
Managed by government
Operated as public fund
Prohibited Individuals
Age Restrictions and Identification Requirements
Gambling is prohibited for minors in Bangladesh. The minimum age for participation in any legal gambling activity, where permitted, is 18 years old.
Online gambling platforms that accept players from Bangladesh require users to verify their age and identity before allowing access to real-money games. This typically involves submitting official identification documents during the registration process to ensure compliance with age restrictions and prevent underage gambling.
Prohibited Gambling Activities and Game Restrictions
Most forms of gambling are strictly prohibited for Bangladeshi citizens. This includes casino games, sports betting, betting shops, and online gambling platforms.
Only certain state-sanctioned lotteries and games of skill (such as chess or cricket-related predictions) may be permitted under specific conditions, but these are rare and the boundaries are unclear.
Land-based casinos are generally not allowed for Bangladeshi citizens; some exceptions may exist for venues catering exclusively to foreign tourists, but access for locals is forbidden.
Online gambling, including casino games, sports betting, and virtual gaming, is not legally permitted for residents. The legal status of online gambling remains ambiguous due to outdated legislation, but authorities treat participation and facilitation as illegal.
Advertising and Marketing Limitations
All forms of advertising and promotion of gambling and betting services are strictly prohibited in Bangladesh, both online and offline.
Authorities have taken action to block advertisements for online gambling and betting sites on social media and mainstream media platforms.
Endorsements or promotions of gambling platforms by celebrities, influencers, or public figures are forbidden and subject to legal action.
There are ongoing efforts and legal petitions to further restrict, monitor, and block any form of gambling-related advertising, including through digital channels and payment gateways.
Responsible Gambling and Player Protection Measures
There is no formal, government-mandated responsible gambling framework or player protection program in Bangladesh due to the overall prohibition of gambling.
Some international online gambling platforms that accept Bangladeshi players may offer responsible gambling tools such as deposit limits, self-exclusion, and access to addiction support resources, but these are not regulated or enforced by Bangladeshi authorities.
Authorities and rights organizations have raised concerns about gambling addiction, financial harm, and social risks, particularly among youth, but official harm reduction or support measures are limited.
Legal action may be taken against individuals or organizations found to be facilitating or promoting gambling, as a deterrent and protective measure for the general public.
Geographic and Location Restrictions
There are no legal land-based gambling venues open to Bangladeshi citizens; any such venues are subject to police raids and closure.
Online gambling sites are officially blocked and access is restricted by the government. Efforts are ongoing to block all gambling-related websites, applications, and payment gateways accessible from within Bangladesh.
Physical access to any form of gambling establishment, including casinos, betting shops, or gaming clubs, is prohibited for Bangladeshi nationals regardless of location within the country.
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Timeline
Year/Date
Event
1867
Enactment of the Public Gambling Act by the British colonial government, establishing a general prohibition on public gambling and common gaming houses in the territory that would become Bangladesh.
1947
Foreign Exchange Regulation Act introduced, later cited in prohibiting gambling-related transactions, including those involving virtual currencies.
1972
Adoption of the Constitution of Bangladesh; Article 18(2) directs the state to take effective measures against gambling, reflecting official policy disapproval.
1976
Dhaka Metropolitan Police (Amendment) Ordinance includes provisions related to gambling within the metropolitan area.
2012
Money Laundering Prevention Act enacted, explicitly including gambling-related activities as predicate offenses for money laundering.
2019
Major police raids on illegal casinos in Dhaka highlight the widespread presence of unregulated gambling and prompt renewed enforcement actions.
2021
Bangladesh Bank reiterates its ban on cryptocurrencies, emphasizing that virtual currencies—including those used for gambling—are prohibited under multiple laws.
2023–2025
Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) intensifies efforts to block online gambling platforms and apps, reflecting growing concern over digital gambling and calls for comprehensive regulation.
April 2025
High Court petition filed seeking a ban on advertisements and endorsements of online gambling and betting websites, signaling ongoing legal and policy debates regarding digital gambling regulation.
Requirements
Software Certification and Technical Standards
There are currently no official software certification or technical standards mandated by Bangladeshi authorities for gambling operators, as all forms of online gambling are unregulated and technically prohibited within the country.
Operators targeting Bangladeshi players from offshore jurisdictions typically adhere to the technical and software certification standards required by their own licensing authorities, not by Bangladesh.
No requirements exist for game fairness audits, RNG certification, or independent testing labs under Bangladeshi law.
Data Protection, Privacy Measures, and Server Location
Bangladesh does not have a dedicated data protection law specifically for gambling operators. There are no local requirements for data encryption, privacy policies, or user data handling tailored to gambling platforms.
No regulation mandates that gambling operators must store user data or servers within Bangladesh. Offshore operators typically host data in their own jurisdictions.
General data protection for digital services may fall under broader IT or cybercrime laws, but there are no operational standards specific to gambling.
Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Know Your Customer (KYC) Procedures
Bangladesh enforces anti-money laundering through the Money Laundering Prevention Act, 2012, which applies broadly to financial transactions but is not tailored to gambling operators.
There are no specific KYC or AML technical requirements for gambling operators, as online gambling is not regulated or licensed domestically.
Offshore operators may implement KYC procedures (such as identity verification and age checks) in line with their own regulatory requirements, but these are not required by Bangladeshi law.
Cryptocurrency transactions are explicitly banned in Bangladesh, and gambling operators are prohibited from accepting or processing payments in virtual currencies for Bangladeshi users.
Financial Reporting, Auditing Standards, and Record-Keeping
There are no local financial reporting, auditing, or record-keeping requirements for gambling operators in Bangladesh, as the industry is not legally recognized or regulated.
Operators licensed abroad may be subject to the financial compliance and audit standards of their licensing jurisdictions, but these obligations do not originate from Bangladeshi law.
No requirements exist for transaction logs, player account records, or financial audits specific to gambling activities involving Bangladeshi residents.
Responsible Gambling Tools and Technical Implementation
Bangladesh does not mandate the implementation of responsible gambling tools (such as self-exclusion, deposit limits, or reality checks) for operators, as there is no regulatory framework for online gambling.
Any responsible gambling features available to Bangladeshi players are provided voluntarily by offshore operators, in accordance with their own licensing requirements, not due to any Bangladeshi technical standard.
No technical or operational standards exist for the monitoring or enforcement of responsible gambling measures within Bangladesh.
Summary: At present, Bangladesh has no technical or operational requirements for gambling operators, as online gambling is unregulated and technically prohibited. No standards exist for software certification, data protection, AML/KYC, financial reporting, or responsible gambling tools. Any such measures are determined by the requirements of offshore jurisdictions where operators are licensed, not by Bangladeshi law.
Gambling regulations are subject to change. The information provided on this page was accurate at the time of publication, but may not reflect the current regulatory landscape. Always consult official sources for the most up-to-date information before making any gambling-related decisions.
