Ward and village administrators are inviting performing arts troupes and opening gambling centers in the wards in Chaungzon Township under the pretext of the seasonal festivals, in Chaungzon Township in Mon State, locals said.
Gambling centers are being packed with the people in Ywarlut, Kunyaik, Thetkaw, Daungu and Kamanin villages and Chaungzon town in Chaungzon Township.
“The administrators are inviting drama troupes in order that the festival of pouring water on Bo trees is crowded. It has been five days since the troupes in Kamanin village. Although there is no festival, the arts troupes are performing since May. The main reason is to open gambling centers. The administrator said it aims to raise funds. In the daytime, gambling centers are operating in Thetkaw and Kataungsein villages, the local said.
Although there are no performances by arts troupes and other festivals, some villages are opening gambling centers throughout the year, locals said.
The gambling centers are operating under the management of the ward/village administrator, the chair of Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) and Township Administration Council in Chaungzon Township, including the cousin sister of Mon State Chief Minister, locals said.
“There are more than 50 dice-rolling game centers. One center has to pay Ks-100,000 in tax. The administration body has earned nearly Ks-9 million. The fee for arts troupe is around Ks-1 million. The village administrator’s team collects money,” said another local from Chaungzon Township.
The junta receives tax incomes equivalent to more than three digits, from each village where the gambling centers are operating. The taxes earned from the gambling centers are shared with the state commissioners through the village administrators.
Gambling operating in Chaungzon Township comprises gambling such as the game played with a red and white rested cube, dice-rolling, casino and cockfighting. In addition to locals from Chaungzon, men and women from Hpa-An, Paung, Mawlamyine industrial zone, Kyaikmayaw and Mudon are flocking to Chaungzon.
Since 2013, gambling has been operating in Chaungzon Township, with the permission of the Mon State Chief Minister, locals said.
After the operation of gambling centers, Chaungzon has seen more thefts, robberies and drug cases, locals said.
Sent by IMNA
