Youth Falling Victim to Online Casinos and Drugs in Bangladesh

By Masudur Rahman, Writer and Journalist: A large portion of today’s youth in Bangladesh is increasingly falling prey to online casinos and drug addiction. These two destructive forces—online gambling and drug abuse—are spreading rapidly across the country, affecting both urban and rural communities. Unemployed, educated, and uneducated youth alike, driven by the illusion of becoming rich overnight without hard work, are being consumed by these dangerous addictions.

Family conflicts are on the rise as a result. Many young people, addicted to gambling and drugs, are turning against their parents. Cases of theft within the household, verbal abuse, and even physical violence are becoming alarmingly common. Some children have not only ruined their own lives but have also dragged their entire families into distress through their addiction to online games.

Recently, a popular program titled “What Should I Do Now?” on the Facebook page of renowned journalist Manjurul Islam highlighted several such real-life stories. One episode featured a man who lost everything—his money, assets, wife, and children—due to his addiction to online gambling. Drowning in debt of over 4 million taka, he has now fled his community and lives with his mother, surviving on a modest job that pays only 10–12 thousand taka per month. He remains out of contact with his wife and children, fearing harassment from creditors.

In another case, a young man from Rangpur wasted several lakhs of his father’s hard-earned money on online gambling. Despite repeatedly promising his parents to quit, he admitted to being unable to break free from the addiction.

Several online gambling platforms have gained alarming popularity in Bangladesh, including OnexBet, Babu88, Triple777, Teen Patti, and Crazy Time. What started among the youth is now spreading to people of various ages, including women and older men. If immediate action is not taken to stop the rise of online gambling, Bangladesh risks severe economic and social consequences.

Alongside gambling, drug abuse is also becoming rampant—not just in the cities, but in villages as well. Many rural youths have become regular users of substances like marijuana (gaza) and yaba. Reports of young people stealing from family members and resorting to violence for drug money are on the rise. The peaceful environment of rural life is deteriorating rapidly due to the widespread influence of drugs.

One tragic example is Rahman (pseudonym) from the Barguna district. After losing his father, he sold off 40 kathas of inherited property—including their family home—and now lives on the streets, addicted to yaba. Another individual, Alamin (pseudonym), is known for regular marijuana use and for physically abusing his own mother.

If we truly want to build a brighter, more prosperous Bangladesh, it is imperative that we urgently address and eliminate the growing threats of online gambling and drug abuse. Otherwise, the country risks falling behind in the global arena. It is not just the government’s responsibility; society as a whole must rise to meet this challenge—together.