Bangladesh Proposes New Law to Jail Match-Fixers for Up to 7 Years

Bangladesh has taken a major step to fight corruption in sports by introducing the Gambling Prevention Bill, 2026. The proposed law makes match-fixing and spot-fixing criminal offences, allowing police and courts to prosecute offenders instead of leaving punishment only to sports bodies.

The bill proposes a maximum punishment of seven years in prison and/or a fine of Tk 1 crore for those found guilty of match-fixing or spot-fixing. It is currently being reviewed by the Parliamentary Standing Committee before becoming law.

The new legislation will replace the Public Gambling Act of 1867, bringing Bangladesh’s gambling laws in line with the digital age. Under the bill, gambling-related offences will become non-bailable and non-forgivable, making it much tougher for offenders to avoid prosecution.

The proposed law defines 24 categories of offences and 14 types of punishment. Cases will be heard in cyber tribunals and other courts, giving authorities wider powers to investigate gambling-related crimes.

The bill also targets online betting networks. Authorities will be able to block websites, mobile apps, servers, domains and IP addresses linked to illegal gambling. Courts will also have the power to freeze bank accounts, mobile financial service (MFS) accounts, payment gateways, digital wallets and cryptocurrency wallets connected to gambling operations.

Another key feature is the creation of a National Digital Blacklist, which will help authorities identify and block people and platforms involved in betting and related crimes.

The move comes after the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) pushed for stronger legal action against corruption in cricket. Until now, sports governing bodies could impose bans, but criminal prosecution was limited. If passed, the new law would allow police and the courts to investigate and punish match-fixing under national criminal law.

Speaking about the proposal, officials said, “Match fixing and spot fixing has been criminalized in the new gambling prevention bill that was recently proposed in the parliament by our honorable law minister that had been sent to law ministry for assessment.”

They added, “Maximum 7 years imprisonment and/or One Crore Taka fine (had been proposed in the law for match fixers and spot fixers).”

However, concerns have been raised over the role of sports federations. Officials noted that anti-corruption units within different federations currently do not have the authority to file criminal complaints.

One official said, “The bodies and teams that are there for anti-corruption activities in federations should be entrusted rights to file the complaint, and information should be taken from them.” The official also added, “All the federations have an anti-corruption unit and their input needs to be recognised by the law.”