Ahmed Masum & Co.

The Government of Bangladesh has officially published the Gambling Prevention Act, 2026 in the Extraordinary Issue of the Bangladesh Gazette on 1 July 2026. The Act repeals the Public Gambling Act, 1867 and introduces a modern legal framework to regulate and prevent gambling-related offences in response to evolving technological and digital developments.

The legislation expands the scope of gambling regulation by addressing contemporary forms of gambling, including online gambling, online betting, casino operations, cryptocurrency-based gambling, betting through virtual private networks (VPNs), social media platforms, mobile financial services (MFS), and other digital financial channels.

The enactment of the Gambling Prevention Act, 2026 reflects the Government's commitment to strengthening the country's legal and regulatory framework for combating gambling-related activities, enhancing enforcement mechanisms, and addressing emerging challenges associated with digital technologies and financial platforms.