New Anti-Online Gambling Law Nears Final Stage, Says Home Minister
A new and modern law aimed at preventing online gambling and betting is now in its final drafting stage, replacing the colonial-era Gambling Act of 1867, according to Bangladesh Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed. He said the proposed legislation is expected to be placed before Parliament during the upcoming session for passage as a bill.
The minister disclosed the information on Sunday, May 24, during a dialogue organized by the Bangladesh Secretariat Reporters Forum (BSRF) at the Secretariat. The event was chaired by BSRF President Masudul Haque and moderated by General Secretary Ubaidullah Badal. Chief Information Officer Syed Abdal Ahmed was also present.
During the discussion, the Home Minister also revealed several major policy decisions regarding Bangladesh’s passports, visa pages, and future banknote designs. He confirmed that the phrase “Except Israel” will be reinstated in all newly issued Bangladeshi passports, describing the move as a reflection of both government policy and long-standing public demand.
Regarding the redesign of passport pages and visa sections, Salahuddin Ahmed said previous designs contained personality-centric elements that did not adequately represent the country’s broader culture and people. He noted that the new designs would avoid political symbolism and instead highlight national heritage and natural landmarks, including the National Martyrs’ Memorial, Tanguar Haor, and the Cox’s Bazar sea beach.
The minister also mentioned that discussions are underway about featuring the portraits of Bir Sreshtha war heroes on future Bangladeshi currency notes, although the matter falls under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Finance.
The dialogue further covered issues related to domestic security, narcotics control, and media freedom. Emphasizing the importance of an independent press for social reform, the Home Minister said certain reasonable limitations on freedom of expression may be necessary to maintain national security and social order. He also urged journalists to help raise public awareness against misinformation, propaganda, and the misuse of social media platforms.
Addressing the growing backlog of narcotics-related cases, the minister announced plans to establish special anti-drug tribunals. He said that nearly 80,000 drug cases are currently pending in Dhaka alone, with large numbers also awaiting disposal in Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, and other districts. According to him, the proposed tribunals will help accelerate the judicial process and strengthen anti-narcotics enforcement nationwide.
DBTech/SH/EK/OR
