Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) on Thursday called for a ban on gambling ads, stricter enforcement of the Gambling Prevention Act, and more action from law enforcement.

In a media statement, the watchdog said, even though the highest court of Bangladesh has spoken out against it, these ads keep popping up in new forms which TIB said not only fuels money laundering but also a laundry list of social problems.

The anti-corruption body slammed the surge of online gambling ads cleverly hidden within traditional media broadcasts. 

Dr. Iftekharuzzaman, TIB's Executive Director, voiced deep concern about these "surrogated" advertisements, like those disguised on jerseys during popular sporting events. 

He pointed out that exploiting legal loopholes to push gambling ads on TV, billboards, and social media is irresponsible, especially considering the High Court's efforts to curb them. 

TIB was also sounding the alarm on a massive money laundering scheme facilitated by these online gambling sites.

Media reports and police investigations show millions, especially young people even in rural areas, are hooked on online gambling.  This addiction fuels money laundering through mobile wallets, online banking, credit cards, and even cryptocurrencies.

While the gambling sites themselves are often based overseas, local Bangladeshi agents handle transactions through mobile banking, allowing millions to be funneled out of the country. 

Despite this alarming trend, there's no clear action plan from the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) or other regulatory bodies, said the TIB statement.  Worse, a hidden industry thrives promoting this illegal activity right under their noses, it added.

Iftekharuzzaman painted a grim picture of the social costs. 

"We hear constant reports of suicides and broken families due to gambling addiction," he said.  "Just recently, a young man lost millions and took his own life.  Beyond the personal tragedies, this addiction allows some to amass illegal wealth, while eroding the moral values of our youth.  It's a threat to families, society as a whole, and even national security."

He underscored the necessity of a multi-dimensional approach to combat online gambling, stating, “According to section 18(2) of the constitution and conventional laws, it is mandatory for the government to prevent all forms of gambling. However, the country still relies on a 157-year-old law to regulate gambling.”

He pointed out that despite initial steps to enact the Gambling Prevention Act, 2023, it remains in the draft stage.

“The urgency for a stringent and contemporary gambling prevention law has long been apparent given the current landscape,” he said, adding that halting the advertising of gambling and ensuring proactive law enforcement are crucial to curbing its proliferation in online spaces.