Myanmar continues enforcement action against illegal online gambling hubs

Joint inspection teams targeted the Shwe Kokko area of Kayin State.

Myanmar.- New clearance operations and demolitions have targeted enclaves along the Thailand–Myanmar border, where criminal groups had established online gambling hubs. The government says joint inspection teams entered the Shwe Kokko area of Kayin State on November 18 to conduct enforcement action. Authorities say they seized equipment at multiple sites and arrested 346 foreign nationals for unlawful residency and suspected involvement in online gambling or fraud.

The move follows previous action on Laukkai in Shan State in coordination with China, which saw more than 53,000 people repatriated. Myanmar says that after this online gambling operators migrated south to border areas such as Myawaddy, Shwe Kokko, the KK Park complex and the Chongkhaed gambling facilities.

Government sources said these zones had been exploited by criminal groups and human-trafficking networks. Officials say more than 68,000 foreign nationals from 52 countries have been repatriated since October 2023. Meanwhile, 148 of 635 identified structures across three zones have been demolished, with the remainder to be cleared using heavy machinery and controlled blasting. Security forces maintain control in reclaimed areas, and joint inspections are ongoing, the government says.

At meeting in Kunming on November 14, China, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam agreed to expand cross-border cooperation on online gambling and fraud.

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Joint inspection teams targeted the Shwe Kokko area of Kayin State. Myanmar.- New clearance operations and demolitions have targeted enclaves along the Thailand–Myanmar border, where criminal groups had established online…