November 30, 2022
The Border Guard Forces (BGF) are operating more and more gambling rings in No. 1 to No. 5 wards in Myawaddy, and since September they have expanded to No.7 ward, a resident said.
Outside Myawaddy, there are several casinos on the banks of the Thaung Rin River owned by BGF, as well as more gambling rings known locally as ‘Our Day’ and small gambling houses for fish shooting and card games in the western part of Tawya Monastery in No. 4 ward, which have become more widespread than before.
“Gambling rings are operated from ward No. 1 to No. 7. The number of gambling rings has increased since September, and the number of Anklon, a kind of roll-the-dice game, is growing. They make money by operating gambling rings. The gambling rings are full of people. They are in constant operation in Myawaddy. The gambling rings have never stopped. There are many places selling drugs and small gambling houess for fish shooting games,” he told the Karen Information Center (KIC).
Although the military council has imposed a curfew in Myawaddy town, the gambling rings are busy until the early hours of the morning, the resident added.
“Junta troops in military vehicles announced that the public is not allowed to go out from 10 pm to 5 am. So the streets are deserted after 10 pm. Many people, especially middle-aged people, stay there until dawn,” he added.
Another resident said that the military council has allowed the BGF to operate more casinos and the gambling rings to distract the attention of young people and reduce their interest in the current political situation.
“The BGF is running more gambling rings because it wants to distract young people from politics. Because there are no more fun things to do, young and middle-aged people only go to gambling dens,” he told KIC.
Similar gambling operations also exist in Ywarthit and Htone Eain villages in Hpa-An Township, Karen State.
Sent from KIC.