Government Goes on Red Alert over Gambling Ads in Cyberspace

The interim government has issued a red alert over the circulation of gambling advertisements in Bangladesh’s cyberspace. Just two days after the initial warning, the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications, and Information Technology announced that starting Sunday, October 19, any newspaper (including its online version), news portal, electronic media, or website found publishing or promoting gambling, betting, or pornography-related content will be blocked without prior notice.

The directive, issued under the authority of the Cyber Security Ordinance 2025 and the Pornography Control Act 2012, was formally announced in a press release on Saturday, October 17, by the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications, and Information Technology.

According to the notice signed by the ministry’s Public Relations Officer, Muhammad Jasim Uddin, “It has been observed recently that some online platforms, websites, mobile applications, social media channels, and electronic media outlets are publishing advertisements and promotional content related to gambling, betting, and pornography. The government has already issued multiple circulars and press releases urging all concerned to refrain from such activities.”

The press release also expressed appreciation for several media outlets—including Cricinfo, Janakantha, and Dhaka Post—that promptly removed gambling-related advertisements and modified their ad networks following the government’s earlier warnings.

The ministry further stated that the Bangladesh government remains “fully committed to keeping the country’s cyberspace safe, ethical, and youth-friendly.” To this end, several key agencies—including the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC), National Cyber Security Agency (NCSA), National Telecommunication Monitoring Centre (NTMC), National Security Intelligence (NSI), and Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU)—are working jointly to ensure strict enforcement and cybersecurity vigilance.