Bangladesh

Online betting is expressly prohibited

Bangladesh’s Gambling Prevention Act 2026 creates a modern national framework covering physical and digital gambling. It expressly treats involvement in online gambling and online betting as offences. The definitions extend to websites, mobile apps, servers, social-media groups and channels, remote access tools, deposits, withdrawals, transfers and work as an agent for a foreign platform.

The law authorises blocking or removal of gambling-related websites, apps, domains, IP addresses and social channels, including mirror and clone sites. It also provides investigative powers concerning bank accounts, mobile financial services, digital wallets and crypto wallets. An offshore licence or a page that remains technically accessible does not create permission in Bangladesh.

Account, SIM and identity risks

The Act specifically addresses false SIMs, fake MFS accounts and misuse of another person’s NID or biometric identity. Never let an agent register an account or wallet in your name, and never lend your SIM, bank account or MFS account to move betting funds. You could lose control of the account and create a trace linking your identity to illegal transactions.

• Do not use a VPN, proxy or mirror link to bypass blocking.
• Do not install APK files from messages, adverts or social groups.
• Never share an OTP, PIN, NID image, fingerprint or face-verification session.
• Reject fixed-match, guaranteed-profit and paid loss-recovery schemes.

bKash, Nagad, bank and card warnings

Bangladesh’s legitimate payment options include bank transfers, cards and regulated MFS providers such as bKash and Nagad. Their logos on a gambling page do not validate the merchant. Bangladesh Bank rules restrict payment instruments from being used for illegal online gambling and betting, and offshore payments may be monitored or rejected.

Changing personal recipients, split deposits and requests to use another person’s wallet are major warning signs. Check the recipient before confirming a transfer and preserve transaction IDs, phone numbers, URLs and chat logs. If money was sent through deception, contact the bank or MFS provider immediately and follow its formal complaint and fraud-reporting process.

Withdrawal and impersonation scams

Illegal sites may show a balance but demand additional “tax,” “verification” or “unlock” payments before withdrawal. Sending more money rarely resolves the claim. Stop payments, secure the linked email and phone accounts, change reused passwords and document every demand. A copied logo, Bangla support or cricket promotion does not prove that support staff represent a genuine company.

Reducing gambling harm

No betting method can guarantee profit. Chasing losses, borrowing, selling assets, hiding activity or missing household expenses are signs to stop immediately. Block payment routes, remove apps and ask a trusted person to help protect essential money. Seek qualified local health or counselling support if gambling is affecting wellbeing, work or family safety.

This page is informational and reflects the Gambling Prevention Act 2026 and Bangladesh Bank material reviewed in September 2026. Official rules and reporting channels can change, so consult current government sources.