Local authorities exploit weak rule of law and organize profit making gambling events
February 24, 2025
HURFOM: Since the attempted coup in 2021, the rule of law is getting weaker across Burma. This is equally evident in Mon State and Tenasserim Division. Local authorities are exploiting the situation by organizing gambling events in pagoda festivals, music and dance shows, traditional and spiritual events, all in order to extract profit for themselves.
These events occur daily in Mawlamyine, Mudon, Ye and Chaung Zone Townships, Mon State. The authorities have intentionally organized gambling events within the programs of festive events to make personal profits.
“There is no day without a festival in the Chaung Zone. If there is no festival in this village, other villages are organizing a festival. Every festive event has various gambling components.,” said a Chaung Zone resident.
The villages of Han Gam, Yin Dane, Yin Yell, Ka Byar Wa, Ka Byar Gyi and Ma Gyi in Northern Ye Township have organized a “traditional spiritual worship event” every year and the Kaw Zar based 31st Light Infantry Battalion granted permission to organize gambling events with these the traditional festivals.
Villagers told HURFOM that the military junta and the village Administrators are working together to organize gambling events in Lamine, Ah Sin and Zee Phyu Taung of Southern Ye Township.
“First, they organized a gambling event in Yin Yell for three days. But a Mon armed group forcefully closed down the event. Later, the local authority granted permission to organize other gambling events and more and more gambling events are re-emerging. The military junta has been collecting money from these events every day. They decide the amount each gambling event must pay them,” said a Ye resident.
Each festive event has hundreds of gambling events and each gambling event has to pay from 100,000 to 300,000 MMK to the military junta and the village Administrators.
In Long Lone Township, Tenasserim Division, gambling events taking place in “traditional spiritual worship events” began in late 2024, local residents reported HURFOM.
“It is not only the junta, but the People’s Defense Forces have also allowed gambling events. As the gambling events need permission from them, there is a give and take,” said a local villager.
The Long Lone People’s Defense Force used to arrest and punish organizers of gambling events but that practice has changed.
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