Residents in Mudon say election candidates backed by the military junta have made no promises to shut down long-running gambling dens, despite growing social problems linked to gambling in the area.
Illegal gambling operations have been active for many years in Mudon, causing daily social problems for local communities. While residents want these gambling dens to be closed, junta-backed parliamentary candidates campaigning in the constituency have not addressed the issue, according to local sources.
The military junta has allowed election campaigning from October 28 to December 26. During this period, some political parties and candidates have been canvassing both in person and online, making various promises to voters.
However, local party supporters say candidates, both local and national-level, are fully aware of the gambling-related problems affecting residents but have deliberately avoided speaking about them.
“No political party has clearly talked about the gambling issue,” said a Mudon resident who supports the Mon Unity Party. “Handling gambling is not easy for them. Unless they officially become lawmakers, they say they have no authority. Under the current situation, they cannot challenge the people who operate these gambling dens.”
According to residents, gambling dens in Mudon are operated jointly by ward and village administrators, local police, and groups linked to the military junta. Popular gambling activities include card games and dice games, with bets reaching hundreds of thousands of kyats.
Residents said that although the junta has announced that gambling and entertainment events must be suspended as elections approach, gambling operators who pay higher taxes to local police are still allowed to continue operating.
A young woman from the Ka Law Sot area said gambling operators there are treated with special respect by police officers.
“The police who come to inspect call the operator ‘boss.’ People from our village and other villages come to gamble. The place has been operating for a long time, with heavy traffic, and even the roads are worn out. It is located near the railway,” she said.
She added that although gambling has caused serious social problems, residents do not know where or how to file complaints.
Since the military coup, individuals connected to the military junta have openly allowed gambling and drug trading to operate as if they were legal, residents said.
Areas near the railway in Ka Law Sot village, the foothills of Kyaik Khamaw Mountain in Ka Mar Wet town, Kyonhpaik village, Kyaikywea village, and several urban locations are known as the busiest gambling hubs, operating day and night.
Local residents also said they do not trust the promises made by candidates during election campaigns.
