HC directs govt to form committee to ban online gambling ads

The High Court (HC) has directed the government to form a seven-member committee to take measures to ban advertisement and promotion of online gambling and betting sites through celebrities on social media and mainstream media.

The High Court bench comprising Justice Fatema Najib and Justice Sikder Mahmudur Razi passed the order on Sunday (27 April).

The order was given following a preliminary hearing on a public interest writ petition, Supreme Court Lawyer Mahin M Rahman, who represented the petitioners alongside Barrister Ashiqur Rahman, told the media.

Regarding the matter, Mahin stated that gambling and betting are prohibited under the existing laws and constitution of Bangladesh.

Besides, the court has asked seven individuals, including secretaries of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Cultural Affairs, and Ministry of Information and Communication Technology, the Inspector General of Police, and the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission chairman, to investigate the matter and submit a report within 90 days.

At the same time, the court has issued a rule asking why no action should be taken to stop the advertisement and promotion of online gambling and betting sites through celebrities on social and mainstream media. 

The court also questioned why inaction of authorities concerned in preventing such advertisements should not be declared illegal.

Earlier on 16 April, Supreme Court lawyer Tanjim Rafeed had filed the writ petition with the High Court seeking measures to stop the advertisement and promotion of online gambling and betting sites using celebrities on social and mainstream media. 

The petition stated that the High Court should direct the government to form a probe committee comprising experts to take permanent measures on the issue.