Online Gambling in Bangladesh: Legal Aspects
Most gambling is prohibited in all of Bangladesh, so it makes sense that there is also no online gambling permitted. In theory, this is enforced strongly with fines and even imprisonment for companies and individuals caught gambling.
However, Bangladeshi residents can play certain lotteries and bet on horse racing (only on the day of the races and when they are physically at the track). Informal gambling is popular among friends.
And, like India, a ban on online gambling is proving hard to enforce in Bangladesh as there exists no law explicitly banning it. The Public Gambling Act is from 1867 – it doesn’t cover internet wagers!
Can you gamble online in Bangladesh?
We can find no evidence of anyone who has been prosecuted in Bangladesh for gambling online. Companies based outside Bangladesh may choose to let players open real money betting and gambling accounts online.
Although big international brands offer websites in multiple languages, we are yet to see any in Bengali, so you will need to understand some English (or another major language).
How can you fund an online gambling account in Bangladesh?
As gambling remains formally outlawed, it is difficult to fund online gambling accounts with Visa, Mastercard or via bank transfers.
Gamblers in Bangladesh are more likely to use e-Wallet payment providers like Neteller and Skrill, who offer fast and secure deposit and withdrawal services to online gambling sites.
It is unlikely you will find a reputable gambling brand that would take deposits in taka. You would need to play or bet in a main international currency, like dollars.
Are gambling winnings taxed in Bangladesh?
As gambling is officially illegal, there exists no provision for taxes on gambling winnings. Horse racing betting winnings are not taxed.
Popular Bangladeshi online casinos
Online casino opportunities for Bangladeshi players are not quite diverse as there literally no internet casinos established in this country for this time. However, of course, it doesn’t mean that the online gambling industry doesn’t exist in the country and players can’t take part in live casino games, online slot machines, gain welcome bonuses or enjoy other services from online casino sites.
In fact, people from Bangladeshi usually use offshore casino websites to take part in online gambling. It’s a pretty common practice not only for those who don’t have local online gambling sites but also for players that are restricted to enjoy various services due to the strict regulations in their countries.
Why is gambling banned in Bangladesh?
Bangladesh decided to keep the Public Gambling Act of 1867 in its constitution when it became independent from Pakistan. That law was originally a British colonial-era law, and since gaining independence, there have been no major changes to it.
There is currently no pressure on authorities to modify or repeal the Public Gambling Act. Bangladesh is over 90% Muslim, and gambling is considered haram.
Any moves to liberalize gambling in the country would face huge opposition from religious figures and their followers.
The Bangladesh High Court reiterated the country’s stance in February 2020 that gambling is illegal when ruling on the legality of 13 underground casinos allegedly operating under the guise of social clubs.
Some public figures have even argued recently that the Public Gambling Act needs to be updated to explicitly include references to casinos, online gambling, and the names of popular dice and card games played in the country.
Don’t expect gambling in Bangladesh to become legal any time soon.
