If someone notices their own image or video appearing on gambling websites or platforms without their consent, they should go to the court for help. Authorities are shutting down over 1,000 mobile banking accounts because these accounts are connected to online gambling activities.

Also, the government has started legal cases against 1,100 named agents, as part of a new campaign from the interim government to stop online gambling in the country, the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications, and Information Technology announced today (26 May).

The government approved the Cyber Security Bangladesh Ordinance to protect people in cyberspace, and Section 20 of this ordinance announces gambling and everything related to it as illegal. The statement explained that this law makes it a crime to create, run, or advertise any gambling portals, apps, or devices on the internet; to take part in gambling; to help or encourage gambling; or to be involved in advertising or promotions related to gambling in any way.

Sections 21 and 22 also forbid any kind of money transfer for gambling purposes, as well as any cheating or fraudulent acts tied to gambling, it added. Since promoting or advertising gambling is now banned, every Bangladeshi taking part in such advertisements will be treated as breaking the law. If the image or video of any person, respected figure, or celebrity gets used on gambling portals or websites without their consent, the ministry urges them to file a complaint in court.

The government added that those who promoted gambling or its ads before this new law must stop these activities right away. Section 30 clearly allows people who lost money or were tricked by gambling to bring lawsuits against the companies and ask for their money back.

According to the ministry, more than 1,100 agents have already been identified and legal action is started against them. The authorities warn that any agent, bank, or financial institution involved with such things will also face tough legal action. For punishment, anyone found guilty of these crimes may get up to two years in jail, a fine of as much as Tk1 crore, or both at once, the statement explained.

Officials from the ministry stressed that their crackdown will continue, and the government will act under the law against anyone, whether directly or indirectly linked, who takes part in online gambling, financial scams, or even deals with cryptocurrency. This tough stance includes respected people, celebrities, professionals, operators, mobile financial service (MFS) agents, banks, insurance firms, ad makers, media buyers, and everyone tied to advertising in print or electronic media.

The statement also said that, since the authorities are waging a strong fight against online gambling, people are encouraged to report any gambling-related or suspicious bank activities right when they discover them. If citizens have any information about accounts used in mobile banking, regular banking, financial companies, agents, distributors, crypto brokers, or Hundi accounts connected to online gambling, they should report it to notify@ncsa.gov.bd.