Kantarawaddy Times
Like an offshoot of online scam networks, slot games are bringing unstable social and economic impacts to communities.
In Karenni State, online gambling games known as ‘slot games’ have also led to widespread financial fraud among the public.
Slot games had already been spreading among the public even before the military coup. However, after the coup, amid worsening living conditions, financial scams and domestic conflicts linked to slot games have significantly increased.
This year alone, there are cases where people were forced to sell land because of slot games, and cases of individuals accumulating debts in tens of millions of kyats and then having to flee to hide, according to local residents.
Because this is also a revolutionary period, locals say that fraudsters have even begun to use battalions and armed groups as excuses or cover for their scams.
“They even scam to battalions and armed groups. They cheat people through KPay and then ask them to transfer money. When things like that happen, people try to track them down. When the debts become too much, the parents have to repay them. There are even cases where they had to sell land to pay back the debts,” said a Karenni local.
This is about a woman from Nanmekhon Township who was addicted to playing slot games, as told by a neighbor.
In areas controlled by armed revolutionary groups, including Karenni State, which is still suffering from the military junta’s internet shutdown, the use of Starlink satellite internet has increased. As a result, places and small shops with access to Starlink internet have become hubs for playing slot games, according to locals. On the other hand, depositing and withdrawing money to play slot games also become very easy for players.
Slot games are not only being played in areas affected by internet shutdowns but also in urban areas under the control of the military junta.
A slot game programmer told the BBC that slot games are designed with built-in programs that manipulate players’ psychology, how to attract them, when to let them win, and when to make them lose, which means that players ultimately cannot win. For this reason, he also urged people not to play such games.
After the military coup, due to job scarcity, the desire to release stress, and the hope of earning some income, people are still investing time and money into slot games, a woman from Demoso Township explained, based on what she has observed.
“Especially shops that freely help the players with Kpay deposits, there are more people. People play games, and if they think they can win, they ask to top up another five or ten thousand kyats. Or they ask to top up five thousand kyats just to keep playing. Because KPay is so easily available at those places, it becomes much more convenient for them to continue playing. If there’s no one at the shop who can top up with Kpay, and if they themselves don’t have KPay, then it’s not easy for them to play,” she said.
At present, across Karenni State, Starlink internet is available in all areas except Loikaw. In densely populated Demoso town alone, locals say there are no fewer than 50 places using Starlink internet.
The Karenni Interim Executive Council (IEC) announced in 2024 that it would form a special force to take action against online gambling.
After the announcement, bans on gambling were widely issued among armed groups. Starlink internet shops also received official warning and prohibition letters related to online gaming. Nevertheless, people continue to play.
Although financial fraud related to slot games is occurring, no cases have yet reached the courts, according to Karenni State legal officer Khun Jack Sting.
“Although both relevant administrative bodies and battalions have officially issued written bans against playing slot games, on the ground, we face many challenges and difficulties in arresting and taking action. Because of this situation, there have not yet been cases that were formally prosecuted in court,” he said.
Regarding enforcement actions, inquiries have been made to the Karenni State Police and the Karenni Interim Executive Council, but no response has been received up to now.
Under Section 18(a) of the 2019 Gambling Law, those who are sued for playing online gambling games such as slot games can face prison sentences of one to three years and fines ranging from 100,000 to 500,000 kyats, according to Khun Jack Sting.
In addition, victims of financial fraud resulting from online gambling can also file civil cases in interim courts.
Although some Starlink shops still display notices banning gambling, public compliance remains weak, and more practical enforcement measures are needed, said a Demoso local woman, Ma Juesephine.
“If everyone can act uniformly, then it can be controlled. But if it is not done at the same time, if people excuse it by saying ‘he’s our person’ or ‘she’s on our side’, it becomes very difficult to control. If one side takes action and the other side doesn’t, this issue becomes extremely hard to manage,” she said.
Locals also said that not only ordinary civilians, but also battalions, armed groups, and civil organizations themselves need to take responsibility for controlling slot games.
Looking at all the children, adults, men, and women spending time playing slot games at satellite shops from a mother’s perspective, it reflects the difficult life of the family members left at home, said Ma Juesephine.
“When I see children, who should be at the age of studying, but sitting and playing games, I worry about their future. When I see household heads coming to play, I wonder whether their families at home have enough to eat or drink. As a mother, there are families where the mother has to struggle alone to provide. And it’s not only men who play these games. Women play them too,” she said.
