The UK’s Department of Culture, Media, and Sport (DCMS) has confirmed that gambling license fees will increase by 25% starting from October 1, 2026.After conducting a...
Bangladesh approves bill to fully restrict gambling
The Parliament of Bangladesh has voted unanimously to pass the Gambling Prevention Bill, which aims to fully ban gambling activities in the country and introduce strict penalties for violations.
The final decision came after it was revealed on June 18, 2026, that Bangladesh was planning to replace its 159-year-old gambling framework. The new regulations classify 24 types of gambling activities, such as online/remote gambling, digital platforms and wallets, betting, bookmaking, and match-fixing.
At the same time, the act establishes 14 penalty forms, with participation in gambling punishable by up to 2 years in prison, or a $1,600 fine. In the case of online gambling, violators will face up to 5 years in prison and $80,000 fines. However, the strictest regulations are set for online betting, which can result in up to 10 years of imprisonment and fines reaching $400,000.
Despite its approval, lawmakers have raised concerns over some points in the legislation that aim to allow the police to search premises and block platforms without court orders. The MP of the National Citizen Party, Akhter Hossen, stressed that giving the police unconditional powers could lead to abuse, with other officials arguing that the government must ensure fairness and protection of citizens’ rights.
On June 30, 2026, Superior Court Judge Richard Darwin ruled that cardrooms would be allowed to continue offering blackjack, stating that Attorney General Rob Bonta’s...
