Cybersecurity Ordinance Criminalizes Online Gambling and Fraud
The punishment for gambling, fraud, and deception in cyberspace will be two years of imprisonment, a maximum fine of one crore taka, or both, according to Section 20 of the Cybersecurity Ordinance 2025.
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting announced the provision through an official press release on Friday, September 19.
The release stated that under the ordinance, if any individual, institution, company, or other entity creates or operates a portal, app, or device for online gambling—or participates in gambling, provides assistance or encouragement, or promotes it through advertisements on platforms such as Facebook, Google, YouTube, WhatsApp, Twitter, TikTok, or other social media—such acts will be considered a punishable offense.
Section 20 of the Cybersecurity Ordinance 2025 stipulates that those committing the described offenses may face imprisonment not exceeding two years, a fine not exceeding one crore taka, or both. Additionally, the High Court Division has issued directives for effective measures to curb online gambling.
The notice further urged all concerned to refrain from assisting, encouraging, or promoting gambling, either directly or indirectly, through advertisements or participation. To suppress such offenses and ensure cybersecurity, all electronic, print, and social media platforms have been instructed to urgently block, remove, or disable access to online gambling gateways, applications, links, websites, and advertisements in the public interest.
