iGaming Industry
Bangladesh Introduces Mobile Courts to Punish Gamblers
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.
Source: European Gaming Portal
Alejandro Navarro
Betski Secures $345,000 in Pre-Seed Funding for First-ever Tokenized Casino Ownership Platform
Betski is set to launch its online casino ownership platform in Q1 of 2025, enabling users to earn casino profits through digital tokens. The system will allow anyone to receive a share of casino earnings without managing casino operations, marking a new chapter in the multi-billion-dollar iGaming industry. Supported by a $345,000 pre-seed funding round, the platform aims to democratize access to casino earnings and reshape the multi-billion-dollar gaming industry.
Opening Casino Ownership to Everyone
The platform’s tokenization system reshapes traditional casino business rules through an automatic profit-sharing program. Token holders receive a percentage of every bet placed on the platform.
This system eliminates steep entry costs, such as operational expenses, licensing fees, and administrative management. Users can start earning returns without previous casino experience or large capital investments.
“A small group have exclusively enjoyed casino industry profits until now. Our platform opens these earnings to everyone through our tokenized profit-sharing system, turning users into online casino owners,” said Alejandro Navarro, founder and CEO of Betski.
Direct Profit-Sharing Through Tokens
Through a verified digital system, the ownership program distributes Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) among token holders. Investors have recognized this potential, contributing $345,000 in pre-seed funding that combines gaming entertainment with digital asset ownership. The platform maintains strict security protocols and automated distribution systems for reliable profit sharing.
“The platform distributes real money to token holders from every bet placed by players. This creates a steady income stream for online casino owners – something the traditional casino structure has never offered,” said Navarro.
Global Growth of Online Casino Ownership
The platform has attracted 2400 active Discord members and over 20,000 followers on X (formerly Twitter). These early adopters are expected to participate in test runs of the profit-sharing system once it goes live. Over the next 24 months, the platform will roll out first in Latin America, followed by expansion into European and select Asian markets.
Betski offers casino games, live casino experiences, eSports betting, global lotteries, fantasy sports, and traditional sportsbooks. This variety creates multiple revenue streams for online casino owners. Players can access all gaming options through a single interface, which streamlines the betting experience and maximizes potential returns for token holders.
The team has partnered with major payment processors and marketing agencies to support the platform’s global expansion. These collaborations will facilitate smooth transactions and user acquisition across different regions. The platform meets all regulatory requirements in its target markets, certifying long-term stability for token holders.
New Opportunities for Investment
Following the successful pre-seed round, Betski is now opening its seed funding round to welcome additional participants into its casino ownership platform. This investment opportunity enables individuals and entities to join the platform’s growth journey ahead of its official launch in Q1 2025.
eCOGRA, a leading international authority in Testing, Inspection and Certification services for the iGaming industry, has secured new regulatory approvals across three key jurisdictions: Arizona, Indiana and Panama. With these developments, eCOGRA strengthens its position in the U.S. and Latin American markets, offering excellence in compliance through their Quality, Speed, and Service promise.
This strategic expansion allows eCOGRA to conduct independent compliance audits and certification services in each region, addressing the growing demand for rigorous regulatory oversight in the fast-evolving global iGaming industry.
Securing approval in Arizona, where eCOGRA has now been licensed as an Event Wagering Ancillary Supplier, enables the International Testing Laboratory (ITL) to audit event wagering licensees in line with Arizona’s expanding regulatory landscape. Indiana, which introduced online sports betting in September 2019, has authorised eCOGRA to perform regulatory compliance audits, providing licensed operators with crucial assurance in meeting the state’s high standards.
In Panama, the Board of Gaming Control officially recognised eCOGRA as an Authorised Entity for Compliance Certification, specifically for slot machines and gaming software. This endorsement reinforces eCOGRA’s role as a trusted partner for operators seeking to meet stringent regulatory requirements in Latin America’s emerging iGaming sector.
“Our recent approvals in Indiana, Arizona, and Panama underline our dedication to continually expand our offering, to support our growing portfolio of clients with their global growth plans. We are committed to ensuring that we bring the same quality, speed and service that marks us out to both our clients and regulators in these dynamic markets,” said Will Shuckburgh, Group CEO of eCOGRA.
Bradley Khoury, Chief Technology Officer at eCOGRA, said: “Securing licensure as an Event Wagering Ancillary Supplier in Arizona and an Authorised Entity in Panama underscores our dedication to supporting responsible and sustainable iGaming operations. We are committed to driving trust and accountability within the industry by providing compliance solutions that uphold the highest standards.”
BetConstruct, a global leader in the iGaming industry, is going to showcase its cutting-edge solutions at the highly anticipated Global Gaming Expo (G2E), taking place from October 7-10.
As the premier event for the global gaming industry, G2E serves as a hub for innovation, driving growth by bringing together industry professionals from around the world to foster business opportunities.
Taking place at The Venetian Expo in Las Vegas, this all-in-one event features both an education program from October 7-10 and an expansive expo hall running from October 8-10.
BetConstruct’s stand is 5230, where the team will showcase an exciting range of products, including the newly launched the Last Battle, a novel loyalty system that is the byproduct of BetConstruct’s commitment to innovation. The company will also demonstrate its comprehensive Sportsbook and Casino Suite, along with DECA, its next-level decentralised casino platform, and Umbrella, an AI-powered risk management solution. These offerings are designed to meet the needs of a diverse range of operators, ensuring seamless and engaging experiences for players across the regulated market.
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