Whilst the Chinese were closing down casinos again in the Myanmar border area, further to the south of Shan State, a good hike from the border area, the local authorities have been encouraging gambling…..
The gambling syndicates have convinced the local government that the revenue from gambling is needed ‘for regional development.’ Laikha Township Peace and Development Council (TPDC) sanctioned local leaders to open gambling dens

The local police boss was given the gambling contracts. The gambling bosses had to pay the police who also pay the local army as well as the TPDC, who in turn had to pay other divisions of the army….and so it goes on.

Local villagers were a bit miffed because they were ordered to supply bamboo to build the gambling dens. The locals perhaps benefit little from the ‘community development program’….gambling just being another way to support the big boys.

It’s the locals who suffer,because as well as the regular punters the young men of the villages are tempted and encouraged to gamble and then get into strife losing all they have to support their families.

later mav