Online Gambling Fuels Social Unrest

Gambling does not change your luck; it only brings certain ruin.

Thousands of people, particularly young people, are being drawn into online gambling by enticing advertisements promising quick and easy profits. The practice has spread beyond cities to remote villages, leaving many families financially devastated and increasing domestic conflict. Experts warn that online gambling never brings lasting prosperity but instead leads to financial ruin and social problems.

Online betting platforms often lure users with promises that a small deposit can quickly multiply their money. Smartphones and mobile banking have made it easy to start  gambling with small amounts, but many users quickly become addicted. Criminal networks have also emerged around the illegal gambling trade, with allegations of involvement by influential quarters.

Cybercrime investigators say many gambling platforms are operated through overseas servers, making it difficult for law enforcement agencies to trace and control their operations and follow the flow of money. Local agents collect payments through mobile financial services and quickly transfer the funds through multiple accounts, making it difficult to identify the original source and ultimate destination of the money.

Former Vatara Police Station OC Emaul Haque has also faced allegations of involvement in online gambling and illegal transactions. He was transferred to the DMP’s Development Division in March after transactions worth around Tk 3.23 million linked to online gambling were detected in his bank accounts. An initial inquiry reportedly found that the transactions were connected to online gambling platforms.

Several victims said they initially won small amounts, which increased their confidence and encouraged them to invest larger sums. Later, many faced difficulties withdrawing their money, with accounts being restricted or withdrawals blocked. Some were even asked to deposit additional money before their funds could be released.
One victim said he turned Tk 2,000 into Tk 10,000 in winnings in a single night and believed he would continue winning. But after becoming driven by greed, he lost Tk 300,000 that same night.

Law enforcement agencies said they are monitoring pages, accounts and websites linked to online gambling and working with the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) to identify and shut down gambling websites.

Under the Cyber Security Ordinance 2025, creating, operating, participating in, assisting, promoting or advertising online gambling portals, apps or devices is a punishable offence. Violators may face up to two years in prison, a fine of up to Tk 10 million, or both.

Experts have called for stronger legal action against illegal gambling websites, apps and local agents, alongside social campaigns and public awareness initiatives to curb the rapidly spreading problem.