Have BTRC, DoT, and Bangladesh Cricket Board Failed to Block Betting and Pornography Sites?
only 65% of identified sites effectively shut down, according to the Bangladesh Mobile Phone Consumers Association (BMPCA). While authorities have taken steps to curb such platforms, concerns persist regarding regulatory failures, digital money laundering, and the involvement of public figures in gambling promotions.
Government's Efforts and Limitations
In 2018-2019, following public demands, the government blocked 178 and 331 gambling websites in two phases, though nearly 2,235 gambling sites had been identified. The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) claimed to have shut down 12,003 online betting sites by June 2023. However, reports indicate that several pornographic websites were reactivated on August 5, 2023.
Referring to the link between pornography and sexual violence, Asif Nazrul, Adviser to the Ministry of Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs, stated that directives had been issued from March 14 to block these websites again.
Despite these measures, the BMPCA has blamed BTRC and the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) for their inefficiency, claiming that the blocking efforts remain incomplete.
Shakib Al Hasan’s Alleged Promotion of Gambling
Concerns have also emerged regarding the promotion of online gambling by top public figures, including Bangladesh’s star cricketer Shakib Al Hasan.
Ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL), Shakib reportedly promoted the betting site "1xBet" through his verified Facebook and Instagram pages, encouraging people to use promo codes for double bonuses. The advertisements have also been displayed on various digital boards, including one in the Software Park at Karwan Bazar.
Reacting to this, sports journalist Not Out Noman criticized Shakib, stating:
"Shakib is openly luring people into gambling. He was a lawmaker and knows that such activities are illegal in Bangladesh. Yet, he has chosen money over ethics. Doesn't the BCB or the government have any authority over this? Of course, they do."
Regulatory Failures and Public Concerns
BMPCA President Mohiuddin Ahmed alleged that after the current government assumed power, a special assistant to the Chief Adviser directed BTRC to block gambling and pornography websites. However, during this process, many e-commerce businesses and freelancers faced IP blocks, severely impacting their work.
He questioned the efficacy of the blocking system, stating:
"ISPs cannot block these sites independently. Only BTRC and DoT have that capability. However, DoT's capacity is limited to just 45%. This means 55% of the bandwidth bypasses their filters and reaches users' devices. Who will take responsibility for this failure?"
Ahmed further expressed alarm over the situation during the holy month of Ramadan, noting that the continued availability of pornographic websites contributes to rising cases of sexual violence and mental perversion. He also highlighted that several renowned celebrities are now promoting gambling platforms, which he believes could push the younger generation towards addiction and crime.
Calling for greater accountability, he urged the government to hold BTRC and DoT responsible, questioning:
"Why should the public bear the consequences of their incompetence?"
