Bangladeshi social clubs gain temporary gambling reprieve

Following government ruling to cease all gambling activity immediately, clubs in Bangladesh have been granted eight weeks to implement the new legislation.

[dropcap]C[/dropcap]lubs in Bangladesh have been given an eight week reprieve while they await the outcome of a High Court ruling on whether they can host gambling activities.

At the beginning of the month, the High Court directed the Bangladeshi government to “immediately stop gambling” activities such as dice, card and housie at 13 clubs across the country.

The court ruling was in response to a writ petition filed by two Supreme Court lawyers. The High Court gave the authorities concerned four weeks to explain “why they should not be directed to take actions against the unlawful business and indoor games of cards, dice and housie in exchange for money.”

The four-member bench of the Appellate Division initially upheld the order and declared that it would remain in force.

However, in the wake of a leave to appeal petition submitted by the Dhaka Club – the largest of the elite clubs in Dhaka – the bench finally stayed the order for eight weeks.

The bench also asked the High Court “to expeditiously hear and finally dispose of the ruling it had made on this particular issue of gambling in clubs within this period of time.”

Following the court order, the clubs can resume their activities for the time being until there is a final High Court ruling on the issue.