Govt drafting new law to replace 1867 Gambling Act: Home Minister

The government of Bangladesh has outlined a series of strategic initiatives with focus on modernizing national laws, securing international borders, and intensifying crackdown on domestic criminal activity that includes the replacement of 1867 Gambling Act.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Monday said this adding, “A new law is being drafted to replace the antiquated 1867 Gambling Act, with plans to present it in the upcoming parliamentary session,” he said. 
Briefing journalists at the conference room of the Home Ministry in Bangladesh Secretariat, he said that this legislation would specifically target online gambling, betting, and associated money laundering.

The minister described it as “transnational crimes” saying that the existing law fails to address adequately.
Responding to reports of unauthorized circuses and gambling at local festivals, the minister emphasized that no illegal activities will be tolerated. 
He warned that the government would investigate any instances where local administrations may have permitted such activities in violation of standing orders, reports BSS.
In the capital, he said that the government was placing a special focus on Mohammadpur to address its “long-standing” issues with crime, high population density, and narcotics prevalence. 
The minister noted that narcotics control laws were also being reformed to ensure criminals cannot easily secure release after arrest.