Thursday, October 16, 2025

Betting rife in country

Bangladesh Premier League was attraction for many
Tonmoy (not his real name) didn’t have an adventurous bone in his body until two years ago when he began a new trade: betting. After the Eid holidays ended, he was coming back to the capital from his native Bogra when he was introduced by a friend to a man whose trade interested him.
It had to do with sports, his favourite pastime these days. Tonmoy wasn’t about to become a sportsman, but he was about to enter another competitive dimension: sports-betting. Having stayed in Dhaka for over a decade, the young man’s activities have been quite limited as his family has employed him to take care of their business. His personal
income too wasn’t that great so he decided, upon meeting the man who leads one of the few betting operations in Sirajganj, to try to make some money out of nothing.
Having come across this young man back in February during the Bangladesh Premier League T20s, it was quite evident that he hadn’t learned too many lessons despite having been in the game for two years. As the competition approached the mid-way stage in Chittagong, Tonmoy was screaming at the top of his lungs his support for the
hapless underdogs, Sylhet Royals.
On February 18, the tournament’s eventual wooden-spoon holders lost to the Khulna Royal Bengals by two runs. As the game drew to the last over, Tonmoy couldn’t hold his nerve and as the wickets fell and the runs dried up in the last two balls, he was left without any words: a sharp contrast to his excitement when Sylhet began the 172-run chase with gusto.
“Now they have lost their fifth game and I have lost Tk 10,000 on them, only betting on them,” he told this reporter at the end of the game. “I am still safe though; I still have some winnings from theother matches. It will be Dhaka Gladiators from here.”
When asked if he would still put money on Sylhet, he was hesitant. “They still promise a lot, you know. If they had won today, I would have won Tk 5,000 just on one game but I lost Tk 2,000. Do they realise what they are doing to me?”
Tonmoy, as one must have noticed, was betting quite happily on the BPL matches despite his financial roller-coaster ride. He is however not the only one.
After several tip-offs that betting was rife on the already money-spinning domestic T20 tournament, The Daily Star Sport explored this avenue in many regions of the country during the BPL in February and in March (when the Asia Cup was being held). In fact, there are even betting markets for the IPL, the English Premier League and the Spanish La Liga matches aired live on television in Bangladesh.
RULES OF THE GAME
It is simpler than the legal betting systems that exist in other parts of the world. Here, there is no registration, entry fees or any sort of paperwork. If someone is willing to place a bet on a certain team, say, Blue, he or she has to confirm to the man in charge who will then look for matches. If the bookie finds another person betting on Blue’s opponents for the day, the bet is on.
The rates would be made available to the parties beforehand — a couple of hours before the game itself. The bookie would charge 15% of all bets placed. In Tonmoy’s case, Sylhet being the underdog was more lucrative as a win for the Royals would have meant an upset, hence a bigger win for the bettor. But if they got beaten, he would stand to lose the base amount (in his case Tk 2,000) while the person who bet in favour of Khulna (in that February 18 game) would only win Tk 2,000 while he stood to lose Tk 5,000 had an out-of-sorts Sylhet won.
So what do the bettors bank on? Knowledge of the game could be their biggest weapon though that takes a backseat in Twenty20s. Those close to the loop and grind of cricket try to eke out every piece of information. Some however, like Tonmoy, almost played with blind faith on the market. If the rate told him that betting on Sylhet would win him more money, he went for it.
Those in the know bet sensibly and during the BPL, went for one game per day to keep their losses at a minimum. The favourite among many after the first week was Chittagong Kings but soon, Khulna Royal Bengals became a favourite in the betting circle where Tonmoy operates.
The man who operates this ring, a certain trader based in Sirajganj, seems to be the biggest winner. With at least 80 bets placed during the BPL, he has earned more than Tk 5 lakh from the domestic tournament. Previously though, his earnings have been quite erratic, especially in the European football leagues where he struggled to break even due to the unavailability of matches between bettors. His windfall was during IPL-4 when he earned twice what he made during the 20-day BPL.
While Tonmoy calls his man back in Sirajganj to bet, there is a big group sitting around the bookie taking part in spread betting, the most interesting sort according to many. They make calls on how many runs would be scored in one over, whether a bowler will take one, two or three wickets in a game, the likelihood of a maiden over or even whether a certain player will bowl the next over or not.
While these are the relatively “cheaper” formats, there lies an exclusive group that not only plays on match results but also on various spreads. It is understood that this group operates on the same rules as the other two but places bets at more than Tk 10,000.
Despite several attempts, contact could not be established with this lot who, it has been heard, take their betting very seriously.
NO DARK ALLEYS
When one thinks of a betting ring, a dark alley somewhere behind a business district immediately comes to mind.
But in Dhaka or in other parts of the country, it was nothing as such. Pool clubs and restaurants are favourite gathering points, but that is mostly for spread betting while those placing the bigger bets, mostly do it over the phone.
In one incident at a café in Dhaka, a group was told to leave after they were a bit too raucous.
It was also learned that another betting ring in Sirajganj was detained for a couple of hours by their college principal after news came through that they were taking part in betting in the cafeteria.
EVERYONE PLAYS
Having spoken to several groups of bettors, it was learnt that people of all ages, backgrounds and income took part in betting activities. Students, even from reputed colleges and universities held a wager among friends, though it was almost impossible for outsiders to play in these groups.
The more serious ones, like the group in Sirajganj, only let a certain number of people take part in spread betting so that it doesn’t attract attention. Over the phone however, many people took part. In fact, there are groups in Dhaka who have traditionally held bets
over cricket and football matches of all sorts.
In 2010 The Daily Star Sport had reported a large group that sits at the Dhaka University Playground and spread-bets on the various league games. But during the last few years, newer age groups of bettors have emerged and during this BPL, it was found to be happening in more places around the country. It took many by shock, especially those involved in the game.
POSTSCRIPT
In a late string of good luck, Tonmoy made a slight profit on the BPL even before the final day.
“I left my interest in Sylhet. I picked Dhaka Gladiators as my team and won big on the semifinals,” he said. During the Asia Cup, Tonmoy won big in just one game. The bookie back in Sirajganj too didn’t have as jolly a time as he did during the BPL because of the fewer number of games and the aversion for the underdog in the tournament.
Tonmoy too fell into that mentality and unwilling to lose money, put his money on the bigger teams and lost on two occasions.
But according to many who take part alongside Tonmoy, it will be the fifth edition of the IPL that will bring the Sirajganj trader his second bonanza.

-With The Daily Star input

Related News

Afghanistan dominates Bangladesh in ODI series victory

Sports Desk : dhakamirror.com Afghanistan clinched the ODI series with a crushing 81-run win over Bangladesh in the second of the three-match series and take an unassailable 2-0 lead at the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Saturday. Bangladesh were folded for 109 runs in 28.3 overs—their lowest against the Afghans in an ODI ... Read more

BCB board shake-up: Rubaba Dowla takes a seat

Sports Desk : dhakamirror.com Corporate leader and sports organizer Rubaba Dowla has officially joined the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), stepping in for Isfak Ahsan, whose nomination was quietly pulled just hours after yesterday’s board election. The NSC has pulled back his nomination due to claims about his connections with the ousted Awami League government. As ... Read more

BCB elects Aminul as president, Faruque and Shakhawat vice-presidents

Sports Desk : dhakamirror.com Aminul Islam has been re-elected as the president of the Bangladesh Cricket Board following the board of directors’ elections that took place at a city hotel in Dhaka on Monday. Faruque Ahmed, a former board president himself, along with Shakhawat Hossain, has been chosen as the new vice-presidents. Aminul, Faruque, and ... Read more

Bangladesh dominates Afghanistan with strong victory in final T20I

Sports Desk : dhakamirror.com Bangladesh wrapped up a clean sweep against Afghanistan with an impressive six-wicket victory in the third and final T20 International at Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Sunday, clinching the series 3–0 in style. Chasing a target of 144, Bangladesh made it look easy, finishing the game with two overs to spare. Saif ... Read more

Bangladesh secures T20I series victory against Afghanistan

Sports Desk : dhakamirror.com Bangladesh has taken a strong 2-0 lead in the three-match series after pulling off an exciting two-wicket win against Afghanistan in the second T20I at Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Friday. Afghanistan set a target of 147 runs, losing 5 wickets in their 20 overs. Nasum Ahmed (2-25) and Rishad Hossain (2-45) ... Read more

ICC Women’s World Cup: Tigresses starts strong

Sports Desk : dhakamirror.com Bangladesh began their ICC Women’s World Cup in style with a comprehensive seven-wicket win over Pakistan at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Thursday. Opting to bat first, Pakistan were bowled out for 129 in 38.3 overs. Bangladesh then reached 131-3 in 31.1 overs, thanks to an unbeaten knock of ... Read more

Aminul, Fahim set to be elected unopposed

Sports Desk : dhakamirror.com It looks like Aminul Islam Bulbul, the current president of the Bangladesh Cricket Board, and vice-president Nazmul Abedeen Fahim are on track to be elected without any opposition in the upcoming board of directors’ election. This comes after the Election Commission rejected three nomination papers on Monday. On Monday, the Election ... Read more

BCB Polls: Razzak set for uncontested win

Sports Desk : dhakamirror.com Abdur Razzak, the former national team off-spinner and selector, is poised to be elected as a BCB director without any opposition in the upcoming elections, as reported by the Election Commission on Sunday. On Sunday, a total of 51 nomination papers were submitted, from the 60 that had been collected the ... Read more

Liton’s injury sidelines him from Afghan T20I series

Sports Desk : dhakamirror.com The Bangladesh Cricket Board announced on Sunday the national team for the upcoming three-match T20 International series against Afghanistan, set to take place in Sharjah, UAE on October 2, 3, and 5. Jaker Ali Anik will continue to captain the team in the absence of regular skipper Liton Das, who is ... Read more

Razzak steps down as selector, joins BCB election run

Sports Desk : dhakamirror.com Former Bangladesh left-arm spinner Abdur Razzak has stepped down from his role on the national selection panel after more than four years of dedicated service. He aims to contribute to the country’s cricket in a more impactful way. Razzak, who joined the selection panel in January 2021, confirmed his decision yesterday ... Read more

Batting failures keep Bangladesh out of Asia Cup final

Sports Desk : dhakamirror.com Bangladesh’s hopes of making it to the Asia Cup final were dashed by a poor batting display, as they lost to Pakistan by 11 runs in their final Super Four match at the Dubai International Stadium on Thursday. In this virtual semi-final, Bangladesh needed to chase down a target of 136 ... Read more

Umpiring legend Dickie Bird dies aged 92

Sports Desk : dhakamirror.com The cricket world is mourning the news that one of the most popular and famous figures in the sport, Harold “Dickie” Bird, has passed away in his home, aged 92. Former first-class English cricketer Bird officiated his first test match in 1973, and went on to umpire 66 tests and 76 ... Read more

Bangladesh fixtures for ICC Women’s World Cup 2025

Sports Desk : dhakamirror.com Bangladesh women’s cricket team will embark on their second-ever ICC Women’s World Cup journey as they depart for Colombo on Tuesday. After making their debut in 2022 in New Zealand, where they recorded a historic maiden victory against Pakistan, the Tigresses will be eager to build on that experience. The 2025 ... Read more

Bangladesh triumphs over Sri Lanka in Asia Cup Super Four Clash

Sports Desk : dhakamirror.com Bangladesh opened their Super Four campaign in the Asia Cup with a four-wicket win over Sri Lanka at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Saturday. Chasing 169, Bangladesh reached the target with one ball remaining, thanks to strong batting performances from Saif Hassan and Tawhid Hridoy. Sri Lanka, asked to bat ... Read more

Hasibul and Salma join BCB selection panel

Sports Desk : dhakamirror.com The Bangladesh Cricket Board on Saturday appointed former national team pacer Hasibul Hossain Shanto as a men’s team selector and former women’s team captain Salma Khatun as a women’s selector. With the appointment, Salma became the first woman cricketer of the country to take such a role, which was remarked as ... Read more

BCB’s move to appoint first ever female selector for national women’s team

Sports Desk : dhakamirror.com The Bangladesh Cricket Board is set to appoint a woman selector for the national women’s team, stated board president Aminul Islam Bulbul on Friday. Currently the national selection panel for the men’s team comprises former captain Gazi Ashraf Hossain as the chairman and Abdur Razzak as the member. Hannan Sarkar stepped ... Read more

Bulbul acknowledges Tigresses’ World Cup readiness not ideal

Sports Desk : dhakamirror.com Bangladesh Cricket Board president Aminul Islam believes that the preparation of the Bangladesh national women’s cricket team for the forthcoming ICC Women’s World Cup was not up to the mark. The Nigar Sultana Joty-led team is currently in a camp at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur before going to the ... Read more

Mushfiq on the verge of reaching 100 Test appearances

Sports Desk : dhakamirror.com Mushfiqur Rahim, Bangladesh’s talented wicketkeeper-batter, is on the verge of making history as the first Bangladeshi cricketer to reach 100 Test appearances. This milestone is within reach following Cricket Ireland’s decision to take part in a two-match Test series against Bangladesh, starting on November 10. Ireland will tour Bangladesh between November ... Read more

Tigers leave for Dubai

Sports Desk : dhakamirror.com Bangladesh cricket team left for Dubai in the early hours of Friday for the Champions Trophy, which begins in Pakistan and the UAE from February 19. Najmul Hossain Shanto-led Bangladesh team will play a warm-up match against the Mohammad Haris-led Pakistan Shaheens at the ICC Cricket Academy ground in Dubai on ... Read more

Simmons discusses Champions Trophy preparation Issues

Sports Desk : dhakamirror.com Bangladesh head coach Phil Simmons acknowledged that the team’s preparation for the ICC Champions Trophy has not been ideal, but he remains hopeful that his players will quickly regain their ODI form before the tournament starts. “I agree that it is not the best preparation. However, they have been playing white-ball ... Read more