Township administrative bodies in Mon State have instructed village and ward administrators to temporarily suspend all gambling dens operating in their respective areas during the election period and the weeks leading up to it. According to sources close to local administration teams, this directive was issued in late November.
The directive states that gambling venues in villages and urban wards must close no later than December 22 to prevent large gatherings and disturbances during the election period.
A source close to a village administration team said, “Since most townships in Mon State will hold elections, they said December 22 is the final day to stop operations. Some village administrators may still allow them to continue. Some won’t. Those who allow it get at least around one million kyat per month. So they don’t want to shut down even for a night.”
Due to the large monthly payments—reported to reach hundreds of thousands of kyat—that gambling den operators and local administrators receive, sources say many venues are unlikely to comply and may continue operating through the election period with the understanding of local officials.
As a result, gambling dens in six villages in Paung Township, including Nat Gyi Chaung Village, remain open without any closure days, and no action has been taken against them, the source added.
Similarly, residents of Ye Township said security forces have been visiting known gambling locations in the town’s wards to inform them of the December 22nd closure order. However, since officers have not clearly stated what action will be taken against those who fail to comply, residents say the warnings appear largely symbolic.
“They don’t say they’ll shut them down, and they don’t say they won’t. It’s all ambiguous. They only say not to operate during the election period. They don’t explain what they’ll do if the gambling dens remain open. From what they say, it doesn’t sound like they seriously want to stop them. Some places are still operating,” a Ye Township resident said.
Since the military council took power, gambling dens have been widely permitted across villages and towns under various pretexts, often tied to festivals, religious ceremonies, and other staged events.
Local residents say this widespread permission has contributed to a sharp rise in crime this year, including motorcycle theft, home break-ins, robberies, and other criminal activities.
Of the 468 village tracts in Mon State, elections are to be held in 328, under the military council’s administration. Meanwhile, strict security checks have been imposed at town entrances and exits, and military operations continue in resistance-held areas.
