Yangon Municipal Minister U Myo Myint Aung said that no form of gambling is permitted at amusement centers in Yangon Region and that any gambling activities found there will be investigated and prosecuted.
He made the remarks in response to a question from Kyauktada Township Constituency No. 2 representative U Kyaw Min Htet about whether action could be taken against gambling establishments operating under the guise of children’s amusement centers.
U Kyaw Min Htet said he had personally observed some establishments in crowded areas of downtown Yangon and at shopping centers operating under the name of amusement centers while engaging in gambling activities behind the scenes by exploiting loopholes in the law.
He said he had intended to present the findings in a PowerPoint presentation but decided not to do so out of concern that it might harm the parties concerned.
The MP said that if such gambling activities continue on the ground, they could lead to moral deterioration among young people, harm to the surrounding environment and an increase in crime.
Regarding the issue, Minister U Myo Myint Aung said that gambling activities conducted at amusement centers can only be prosecuted by the relevant police force under the provisions of the Gambling Law. He said that, due to the possibility of foreign nationals being involved behind the scenes, the Yangon City Development Committee (YCDC) has not permitted applications for new business licenses since 2019. However, the 44 business licenses that had been approved before that period are being reviewed and renewed in accordance with financial-year procedures.
He added that license renewals are approved only after the businesses are examined against seven criteria.
“In Yangon Region, amusement centers are permitted to operate video game machines, sports and skill-based games intended for children and young people, as well as recreational gaming equipment offering prizes and gifts. However, no illegal gambling activities, including card games, lottery-style gambling or other forms of betting, are permitted inside the establishments. If gambling is found to be taking place at amusement centers in any township, the cases will be investigated and action will be taken,” Minister U Myo Myint Aung said.
He also said that measures are being taken to prevent gambling at amusement centers by gathering information through informants and conducting undercover investigations by local police officers. In addition, the relevant district and township police forces, the General Administration Department and the municipal authorities are jointly inspecting amusement centers to verify whether they have valid business licenses issued by the YCDC Administration Department, whether their operations comply with the law and whether they are complying with the stipulated rules and regulations.
