Surge in Illegal Gambling Dens in Bhamo Town, Kachin State

Illegal gambling dens have sprung up in downtown wards of Bhamo Town in Bhamo Township, Kachin State and the authorities have not arrested anyone involved with them.

Gambling is completely illegal throughout Myanmar.

A resident of the Thein Taw Gyi Ward in Bhamo Town  said to the Voice of Shan Ni: “Gambling dens are popping up everywhere. Gambling is causing arguments between husbands and wives. Though people are facing economic hardship,  the authorities are not taking action against these [gambling den] issues. I’ve heard that instead they will be arresting [people] for [riding] motorcycles without mirrors or licenses starting next month.”

In September there were only two illegal gambling dens in Bhamo Town. During October many more opened and there are still more being constructed.

As the number of gambling dens has risen in Bhamo Town so has the number of gamblers. This has resulted in an increase in robberies and thefts throughout the town as gambling addicts try to get enough money to feed their habits.

Another Bhamo Town resident said: “At this time there are no jobs and everyone is struggling. Even though there is no food available people are still flocking to the gambling dens. There are many young boys begging on the streets. Thieves are even stealing clothes directly off the racks in clothing stores.”

Fighting near Bhamo Town means there are few jobs and many women inhabitants have been forced to seek work in border areas. But, many men have remained at home in the city because they fear that if they leave or go out they will be forcibly conscripted into the army.

The junta controls Bhamo Town, but the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), people’s defence forces (PDFs) and their allies control the rural areas of Bhamo, Mansi, and Shweku Townships in Bhamo District.