Online gambling sites take aim at Bangladesh polls
Online gambling platforms are increasingly offering bets on Bangladesh's upcoming election, despite being illegal under Bangladeshi law.Summary
Despite strict legal prohibitions, online gambling sites are targeting Bangladesh’s upcoming national election, offering wagers on election outcomes. Platforms like Polymarket are hosting bets, with significant amounts wagered and a majority predicting a Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) victory. These platforms also offer other illegal gambling options like online casinos and live betting. Authorities, including the police and the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC), are actively monitoring and blocking these sites, apps, and related SIM cards, having already blocked thousands of links and apps. Gambling is illegal in Bangladesh, with penalties including imprisonment and substantial fines. While research suggests betting markets can accurately predict election outcomes, participation in online election gambling remains illegal in Bangladesh.
(Source：Dhaka Tribune)