by Hafizur Rahman
Kutupalong camp area, Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh | April 11, 2026
A community-led protest was held on April 11 in the Kutupalong camp area to raise awareness about the harmful effects of gambling among Rohingya youth, according to participants. Students, teachers, and community members joined the demonstration, expressing concern over the growing influence of online betting platforms.
Participants said gambling activities linked to platforms such as 1xBet are affecting social stability, family life, and the future of young people in the camps. They called for urgent action to protect vulnerable groups from its impact.
Students from Refuge Private High School, PCHS Pioneer Community High School, and New Life Community High School took part in the protest, alongside teachers who supported the initiative.
One student told Rohingya Khobor, “We can see many people are suffering because of this. Families are being destroyed because people lose money in betting. After that, they do not know how to support their families or live with dignity.”
A teacher said the campaign aimed to highlight the broader consequences of gambling. “We want to show that gambling is a harmful activity that can damage people’s lives. We have seen Rohingya youth becoming involved with human traffickers after losing money in betting. That is why we are raising awareness,” the teacher said.
Another student said the protest was organized by the Center for Rohingya Resilience and focused on reducing gambling-related harm in the camps. “Because of platforms like 1xBet, some people are losing confidence and becoming involved in crimes such as kidnapping, human trafficking, theft, and domestic violence,” the student said.
Participants said the protest reflects growing concern within the community and the need for collective action to address emerging social risks in the camps.
Organizers expressed hope that similar initiatives will encourage wider awareness and help prevent further harm among young people.
