At least 50% of residents regularly bet on slot machines in Three Pagodas Pass, on the Thai-Burma border, say local residents and gamblers.
Gambling rates have increased since the border crossing was closed in March 2006. “Now it is more difficult for people to find a job. So they think they can make money by betting money in gambling,” a male resident who frequently gambles told IMNA.
The most popular game is Panthi Bhoung, the Burmese name given to an electronic slot machine. Betting typically ranges from 1 to 30 baht, and there are no restrictions on players’ age or gender.
According to three gamblers interviewed separately by IMNA, there are at least thirty gambling operations on the Burmese side of Three Pagoda Pass. The games are illegal on the Thai side of the border. All three sources also alleged that Thai investors own the businesses.
The gamblers interviewed by IMNA varied, but only slightly, in their estimates of how much gambling occurs. One said over 50% of the population participates, a second placed the number at 55% and a third said 60%.
Though many of the betting is done in the hopes of making up for unemployment and lack of income, the gamblers who spoke with IMNA recognize that few people actually have much success.
“I have never seen people make a lot of money by betting. I just see people who lose what they have because of gambling. Only Thai businessmen, who own the game shops, can make the money. They gain 100,000 baht per day from the games,” said the gambler quoted above.
With the gambling has come an increase in crime, the source added. “In this year, Three Pagoda has six cases robbery because of people losing when they gamble. Most people who play can barely make an income of 100 baht per day. Some gamblers borrow money to play. When they lose much of money, they have no more ideas for how to get the money back so they can repay their debts. It is not possible to pay back with an income of 100 baht per day. So they try to rob and thieve from any house to get the amount of money they need.”
Another resident of Three Pagodas Pass agreed: “In this year, there have six cases of motorbikes being stolen in town. One twelve-year-old child who lives near my house bets every week. When he wants to play, if his mother does not give him money he throws stones at her. It is very bad situation for the kid now. I don’t dare to think about the future.”
