Arifur Rahman Rabbi :
Since the anti-casino crackdown, law enforcements have taken a hard-line against all forms of gambling. Although the operations have been continuing, the incidence of gambling has not stopped yet.
The elite force Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) alone has arrested around 200 gamblers from Dhaka and surrounding areas last month.
Concerned people, including lawyers said that our law is very old about the matter. So, the gamblers are still reckless due to provision of mild punishment in the law.
RAB-10 Commanding Officer (CO) Additional DIG Mahfuzur Rahman told The New Nation that they had arrested around 200 gamblers in this month. In primary interrogation they knew that most of the gamblers had been involved in other crimes like mugging and drug trader.
Concern people say though there has been discussion about making the effective law after the anti-casino operation, but it has not yet been enforced.
Besides, no FIR has been registered in these cases; the gambler sends it directly to the court. That time light imprisonment or fine is imposed.
As a result of light punishment, they do the same thing again, they said.
Some law enforcement official said the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Ordinance 1976 has two sections on gambling. Article 92 states that whoever assembles with others on a street or public place for the purpose of playing gambling or joins any such assembly he shall be prosecuted with up to one hundred taka. Meanwhile, article 93 says if a person engages in any gambling in public places, he can be fined not more than Tk200.
Public Gambling Act of 1867 is more specific than the police ordinance. But there is no clarity on the definition of ‘gambling’.
But the definition of a common gaming house clearly states that no matter where is the house, room, tent or car, it is punishable to use any game material in the hope of making a profit.
The 152-year-old law, issued at the beginning of British rule, does not say anything about casinos. Under the law, gambling is punishable by a maximum fine of Tk 200 or imprisonment for three months. The law also provides for the joint execution of both punishments in certain cases.
However, drug, money laundering and arms laws are being enforced against the accused in the anti-casino campaign.
Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University’s Criminology and Police Science department Professor Md Omar Faruk told that it would not be wrong to say; gambling is a breeding ground for crime. Because there have been some more issues to come. Wherever there is gambling, there are various involvement including drugs and women. We saw a lot of example during the anti-casino raid.
The current law is very old. There are some fines or minor imprisonment with which it is not possible to deal with the current situation, he said.
As a result, the police are often seen as indifferent to gambling. Now gambling is taking place in digital process including online which requires a timely law, he further said.
The professor requested that a modern law will be made enacting quickly with amendment to the existing law.
Human Right Activist Advocate Elina Khan said that after the anti-casino campaign, we saw the government to work. That time, the authority said, a law should be enacted to prevent gambling. However, we have noticed slow action.
She also said that the existing law of 1867, which is more than 150 years old, is inadequate. Therefore, the government should take immediate steps to make a new law on gambling.
Bangladesh Police Assistant Inspector General (AIG-Media) Md Sohel Rana said that gambling is harmful for our family and society. Therefore, we have strict instructions in this regard, whenever any such information is available, it should be stopped and legal action should be taken.
In response to a question, the AIG said also there had been commission of serious crimes like drugs and violence against women for playing gambling. So there is no chance to avoid the issue. Police are in a strict position to stop gambling, he said.
AM Amin Uddin, the Attorney General told The New Nation that the law on gambling is very old. It should be reformed.
Since the anti-casino crackdown, law enforcements have taken a hard-line against all forms of gambling. Although the operations have been continuing, the incidence of gambling has not stopped yet.
The elite force Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) alone has arrested around 200 gamblers from Dhaka and surrounding areas last month.
Concerned people, including lawyers said that our law is very old about the matter. So, the gamblers are still reckless due to provision of mild punishment in the law.
RAB-10 Commanding Officer (CO) Additional DIG Mahfuzur Rahman told The New Nation that they had arrested around 200 gamblers in this month. In primary interrogation they knew that most of the gamblers had been involved in other crimes like mugging and drug trader.
Concern people say though there has been discussion about making the effective law after the anti-casino operation, but it has not yet been enforced.
Besides, no FIR has been registered in these cases; the gambler sends it directly to the court. That time light imprisonment or fine is imposed.
As a result of light punishment, they do the same thing again, they said.
Some law enforcement official said the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Ordinance 1976 has two sections on gambling. Article 92 states that whoever assembles with others on a street or public place for the purpose of playing gambling or joins any such assembly he shall be prosecuted with up to one hundred taka. Meanwhile, article 93 says if a person engages in any gambling in public places, he can be fined not more than Tk200.
Public Gambling Act of 1867 is more specific than the police ordinance. But there is no clarity on the definition of ‘gambling’.
But the definition of a common gaming house clearly states that no matter where is the house, room, tent or car, it is punishable to use any game material in the hope of making a profit.
The 152-year-old law, issued at the beginning of British rule, does not say anything about casinos. Under the law, gambling is punishable by a maximum fine of Tk 200 or imprisonment for three months. The law also provides for the joint execution of both punishments in certain cases.
However, drug, money laundering and arms laws are being enforced against the accused in the anti-casino campaign.
Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University’s Criminology and Police Science department Professor Md Omar Faruk told that it would not be wrong to say; gambling is a breeding ground for crime. Because there have been some more issues to come. Wherever there is gambling, there are various involvement including drugs and women. We saw a lot of example during the anti-casino raid.
The current law is very old. There are some fines or minor imprisonment with which it is not possible to deal with the current situation, he said.
As a result, the police are often seen as indifferent to gambling. Now gambling is taking place in digital process including online which requires a timely law, he further said.
The professor requested that a modern law will be made enacting quickly with amendment to the existing law.
Human Right Activist Advocate Elina Khan said that after the anti-casino campaign, we saw the government to work. That time, the authority said, a law should be enacted to prevent gambling. However, we have noticed slow action.
She also said that the existing law of 1867, which is more than 150 years old, is inadequate. Therefore, the government should take immediate steps to make a new law on gambling.
Bangladesh Police Assistant Inspector General (AIG-Media) Md Sohel Rana said that gambling is harmful for our family and society. Therefore, we have strict instructions in this regard, whenever any such information is available, it should be stopped and legal action should be taken.
In response to a question, the AIG said also there had been commission of serious crimes like drugs and violence against women for playing gambling. So there is no chance to avoid the issue. Police are in a strict position to stop gambling, he said.
AM Amin Uddin, the Attorney General told The New Nation that the law on gambling is very old. It should be reformed.
