War on online gambling: 1,000 mobile banking accounts to be closed, legal action underway against 1,100 agents

More than 1,000 mobile banking accounts linked to gambling activities are in the process of being shut down for reportedly being linked to online gambling.

Legal action is also underway against 1,100 identified agents under a new initiative of the interim government that aims to curb online gambling in the country, according to a media statement issued by the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications, and Information Technology today (26 May).

"To protect public interest in cyberspace, the government has issued the new Cyber Security Bangladesh Ordinance. According to Section 20 of the ordinance, gambling and all activities associated with it have been declared illegal.

"Under this law, it is a criminal offence to create, operate, or promote any portals/apps/devices for gambling in cyberspace; to participate in gambling; to assist, encourage, or advertise gambling; and to be directly or indirectly involved in gambling promotions or advertisements," read the statement.

Sections 21 and 22 further prohibit any financial transactions for gambling purposes, as well as any fraud or deception related to gambling, it added.

"Due to the ban on promoting or advertising gambling, any Bangladeshi citizen participating in gambling-related advertisements will be considered to have committed a punishable offence. If any individual, respected figure, or celebrity finds that their image/video is being used on gambling websites or portals without their consent, they are advised to take legal action," the ministry warned.

It continued that those who were previously voluntarily involved in gambling or its advertisement before the enactment of this law have been instructed to cease all such activities immediately. "According to Section 30, individuals who were deceived or suffered losses due to gambling have the right to file lawsuits against the accused companies and claim compensation."

"The government has already identified more than 1,100 agents and has begun legal proceedings against them. Strict legal actions will also be taken against any mobile financial agents, banks, or financial institutions involved in such activities," said the ministry statement.

Anyone found guilty of committing the aforementioned offences will face a maximum of two years of imprisonment, a fine of up to Tk1 crore, or both, it said regarding punishment.

The ministry said the government's campaign will continue, and strict legal action will be taken under the law against all individuals directly or indirectly involved in online gambling, financial scams, and related transactions (including cryptocurrency).
"This includes respected individuals, celebrities, professionals, operators, mobile financial service (MFS) agents, banks, insurance companies, advertisers, media buyers, and all entities involved in print and electronic media advertising."

"As the government has declared a war against online gambling, citizens are urged to immediately report any gambling accounts or suspicious bank account activities as soon as they are discovered," the statement read.

To report any information related to mobile banking, regular banking, financial institutions, agents, distributors, crypto brokers, or Hundi accounts involved in online gambling, citizens are asked to contact via notify@ncsa.gov.bd.