Asia

Bangladesh Introduces Mobile Courts to Punish Gamblers

Published

6 years ago

January 15, 2018

Bangladesh Introduces Mobile Courts to Punish Gamblers

Reading Time: 3 minutes

The Bangladesh Cricket Board has announced that it will introduce mobile courts at cricket stadiums in an innovative attempt to prevent gambling from taking place at the upcoming tri-nations series against Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe.

An Extreme Reaction?

Under the new system, individuals that are caught betting within the stadiums when the games are being played will be tried on the spot by judges being transported around in the mobile courts.

This decision comes after intricate gambling laws within Bangladesh saw almost 80 spectators kicked out of live matches for betting using their mobile phone devices during the last season of the T20 Premier League.

Bangladesh Cricket Board Chief Executive, Nizamuddin Chowdhury, said, “Betting will be treated as a public nuisance.”

He added, “Anyone found involved will be convicted and punished instantly in the stadium.”

The tri-nations series is scheduled to begin on 13th January this year when a Bangladesh Cricket Board XI will take on a Zimbabwe XI at the Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Protisthan No.4 Ground in Savar.

On 15th January, the first official one day international of the series will be played between Bangladesh and Zimbabwe at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka.

A Growing Problem

Over recent months, betting by fans in stadiums at live cricket matches has increasingly become a problem for sportsbooks. Fans have been taking advantage of the brief time delay between the live action and the official televised footage to place bets.

As the second largest Islamic nation in terms of population, the vast majority of gambling is outlawed in Bangladesh.

The Public Gambling Act of 1867 was initially passed when Bangladesh was under British rule. It was then passed on as law when Pakistan ruled Bangladesh. When Bangladesh gained independence in 1971, it was only two years later that the law was slightly modified to allow lotteries and change the tax charged to horse racing.

Severe Punishment

The law of the land in Bangladesh states that if an individual is caught gambling illegally then they could receive a potential punishment of up to one month in prison and a fine of 100 taka ($1.25). However, the law is not enforced with a huge amount of scrutiny.

Online betting has only increased the Bangladeshi appetite for gambling. Players based in Bangladesh are able to access online betting sites located abroad. The most popular sportsbook in Bangladesh is the UK-based Bet365.

A large number of establishments across the country such as clubs, restaurants, and cafes openly allow customers to bet on sports such as cricket. These venues are often known to police but police raids only occur occasionally.

It is this relaxed approach to curbing gambling that has seen the act of gambling illegally experience such a surge in activity.

Previous Crackdowns

This is not the first time an authority has made a move to clamp down on illegal gambling activity in Bangladesh. In the early 2000s, there was a push to increase the fine issued to guilty parties participating in illegal gambling to be increased from 100 taka to 5,000 taka ($60). However, this law failed to earn enough support to get passed.

Late last year, the Bangladeshi government took the decision to deport five Indian nationals for their orchestration of an illegal betting ring based on the 2017 Bangladesh T20 Premier League. It was seen as a major change in tactic by the police in their attitude towards betting.

Popular Forms of Gambling in Bangladesh

Even though most forms of gambling are illegal in Bangladesh, there are exceptions. Horse racing betting is legal in Bangladesh and this is the most popular form of legalized gambling up and down the country.

In 1974, the government started to issue prize bonds at an initial cost of 10 taka each. These are now valued at approximately 100 taka each. The draw takes place once every 3 months and the individuals in possession of the winning bond numbers win the prize money. Due to the bonds being considered as government debt, the process of prize bonds are not officially deemed to be a form of gambling by law.

Mobile Courts – A New Idea?

The concept of a mobile court is not technically a new idea. India has already introduced mobile courts to its society in an effort to deal with judicial business in both civil and criminal cases. The first mobile court appeared in Mewat district of Haryana back in August 2007.

Pakistan also introduced its first mobile courts back in 2013. In that instance, the mobile court was inaugurated in Peshawar as a means to provide fast and inexpensive justice to its country’s citizens. So, the idea of using mobile courts to deal specifically deal with illegal betting is a fresh approach but a blueprint for how mobile courts operate has existed for over a decade now.

Asia

Onlyplay Enters into Strategic Partnership with Ritchie Rabbit

Published

2 days ago

April 25, 2024

Niji Narayan

Reading Time: < 1 minute

Onlyplay has entered into a strategic partnership with online casino and betting company Ritchie Rabbit within the Asia region.

Ritchie Rabbit is said to have “extensive expertise and deep understanding of the Asian market,” which helps Onlyplay as it seeks to expand its presence in the region.

Through this deal, Onlyplay will introduce a range of games and features designed specifically for the Asian gaming community.

Onlyplay offers a wide range of games such as instant win, slots and crash games, and will now provide games for players in Asia.

Christina Muratkina, CEO of Onlyplay, said: “It is a great pleasure for us to develop the Asian region alongside Ritchie Rabbit. We recognize the immense potential of the Asian market and are committed to delivering top-notch gaming content and experiences to players in the region. This partnership represents a significant step forward in our efforts to offer innovative and engaging games that resonate with our Asian audience.”

Asia

FBM(R) launches FBM E-Motion: the newest online gaming platform for the Philippines

Published

2 days ago

April 24, 2024

Adrienn Sarkany

Reading Time: 2 minutes

FBM® kicks off a new chapter of its Champion journey in the Philippines with the launch of FBM E-Motion! The online gaming platform disclosed yesterday in the FBM Champion’s Night event held at Xylo at The Palace in Taguig marks a historic moment for the global gaming brand in its pursuit of redefining the gaming experience of Filipino players.

FBM E-Motion promises to change the way local players interact with the FBM games. The online casino games developed under the FBM Group are now available for players in the Philippines to enjoy anytime and anywhere. Whether it is a video bingo, a slots theme or a table game, Filipino gaming enthusiasts have the control in the palm of their hands to start joyful gaming sessions.

One platform, multiple benefits for the players

The FBM E-Motion introduction means significant improvements to the local players’ gaming experience in multiple areas. The game’s accessibility is more convenient, as customers can access the platform with any desktop or mobile device.

Besides the improved accessibility, FBM E-Motion offers more gaming options since players can have fun playing various game categories from different providers. With more variety of gaming choices comes thrilling gaming opportunities as FBM E-Motion keeps users engaged with regular promotional campaigns, jackpots and bonuses to conquer.

In terms of safety and reliability, FBM E-Motion guarantees the highest quality standards. The platform got the license from PAGCOR, and all gaming services offered follow the excellence standards practiced by the FBM brand in the land-based universe, meeting all the criteria regarding legality and compliance with gaming regulations.

FBM E-Motion can be described as a user-centric platform, due to the prioritization of users’ needs, preferences, and overall satisfaction through a 24/7 dedicated customer service available in bingo halls nationwide.

This platform also stands out as the only digital platform allowing Filipino players to enjoy FBM games online in the Philippines.

FBM E-Motion is a game changer in the Filipino online gaming landscape

The release of FBM E-Motion materializes a new entertainment era for the FBM Group in the Philippines. With this step, FBM adds a new layer of engagement with the players’ community, allowing customers to try their favorite FBM titles inside and outside bingo halls in ways that were not possible.

The user-friendly interface of FBM E-Motion facilitates smooth navigation, stimulating players to try a solution crafted with cutting-edge technologies, attending to the latest trends of innovation and entertainment in this Asian country. Players can immerse themselves in a diverse range of memorable gaming experiences with FBM® exclusive games and video bingos, slots or table games provided by different providers.

The launch of FBM® E-Motion kicks off FBM®’s journey in the world of online gaming in the Philippines. With its promise of innovation, excitement and accessibility, the platform is ready to captivate players and redefine the future of their gaming experiences.

Africa

Hub88 partners with LiveGames to enhance content offering

Published

3 days ago

April 24, 2024

George Miller

Hub88 partners with LiveGames to enhance content offering

Reading Time: < 1 minute

Hub88 has partnered with live casino supplier LiveGames, further strengthening its product offering by adding a unique range of content to its platform.

LiveGames provides fully customisable online live dealer games and branded tables including the first vertical roulette table in the sector, along with crash games and the widely played Tombola.

The supplier delivers experiences with a player-focused design, easy to use mobile interface, and high-resolution broadcasts.

The partnership will support LiveGames’ goal to further expand in international markets, including Africa, Asia, and Latin America where Hub88 has a strong presence.

The deal showcases Hub88’s commitment to grow its ecosystem of partners, offering a diverse portfolio of products and content.

Ollie Castleman, Head of Hub88, said: “We’re thrilled to unveil this strategic partnership with LiveGames which sees us add a great provider to our platform, one that utilises modern technology to offer bespoke and personalised gaming experiences to players.

“We are looking forward to collaborating and strengthening our content library with their diverse games.”

The LiveGames Team said: “Our journey started in a small studio and as a team, we are excited about now expanding to every corner of the world together with Hub88 and their extensive operator network.

“We are committed to promoting innovation in the industry and this partnership will support us on that mission.”