We are living in a time when almost everyone has a smartphone in hand. Some foreign companies have set up online gambling sessions through various apps, tempting people and taking away their money. Although online gambling was not common in the village before, the situation has changed dramatically. Nowadays, people of all ages, from children to the elderly, can be seen investing money in these apps on the streets.
Thousands of crores of taka are being smuggled to foreign countries right before our eyes. Online gambling is based on different games. Villagers, youths specially, are especially addicted to it. Some young people work hard all day to earn money only to gamble it away in tea shops in the evening.
Many have lost everything to gambling and are now in debt. A friend of mine ended up on the streets by losing everything after falling into this trap. Villagers do not realise the extent of the harm they are doing to themselves, society, and even their country. Taka in billions is being smuggled out of the country on account of these gambling sites.
Online betting on various tournaments like the Cricket World Cup, T20, Football World Cup, Copa Cup, Euro Cup, etc., is happening right before our eyes. According to CID data, approximately two million people are illegally transacting more than Tk150 crore per month through Mobile Banking Services (MFS).
Despite the dangers, online gambling is widely advertised and lures people in. These companies have dealers or representatives in the country who collect the gambling money deposited through mobile banking agents. It is high time the authorities concerned took strict measures to stop this growing menace.
Asif Islam
Student
Jahangirnagar University
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