Online gambling, an illegal affair as per the law, is becoming rampant in the country. The advent and evolution of technology has helped popularise online gambling rapidly in the last few years. Hundreds of Bhutanese gather on social networking platforms such as WeChat and Facebook’s Messenger to gamble. But interestingly, despite it being illegal, there are a very few cases reported to the police.
The police in Thimphu recorded only three gambling cases so far. Our reporters Samten and Sangay Chezom met with a few individuals according to whom at least one in every 20 Bhutanese engage in some form of online gambling. While some lose millions of money, the ones initiating gambling earn fortunes out of it.
As per the Penal Code of Bhutan, gambling is completely prohibited and there is a penal provision for people organising gambling.
“I think firstly this kind of monetary benefits that are being made goes unaccounted and not go through proper auditing. So of course, while we cannot pre-empt but the possibility is always there to misuse this kind of platform for generating incomes for harmful purpose as well if not now for the future. This is obviously a concern and of course when these gambling and lotteries are not considered in an appropriate manner and not controlled in an appropriate manner, there are social issues that come into play,” said Karma Dorji, the Officiating Director of the Department of Law and Order.
Many online gamblers question the legality of Bhutan Lottery every time the authorities question the legality of online gambling. The gamblers believe online gambling is similar to that of Bhutan Lottery. However, Bhutan Lottery is the only formal online gambling platform in the country. The government approved the introduction of e-lottery last year. According to the Penal Code, an authorised lottery is not considered gambling.
“The Bhutan lottery is a government run agency. It is quite obvious as a government entity, the social issues, the possible individual problems will definitely be taken care of,” said the Officiating Director.
Many attribute the rapid growth of online gambling to meagre penalty imposed against the offenders. The Penal Code of Bhutan 2004, section 393 says, “A defendant shall be guilty of the offence of gambling, if the defendant stakes or wagers something of value upon the outcome of a contest of chance or a future contingent event not under the defendant’s control or influence upon an agreement or understanding that the defendant will receive something of value in the event of a certain outcome.”
The Penal Code grades gambling as petty misdemeanour with minimum sentencing of a month to a year.
Samten Dolkar/Sangay Chezom
