The illegal casino was located in Section 4, near the Vow pagoda, was ordered to be destroyed by the Myawaddy District chairman, U Than Shwe and District police officer, U Aung Myint.

A Myawaddy policeman told to Karen News.

“In order to eradicate gambling, we are arresting and charging offenders.”

Township police said that they had first raided the premises on the night of March 2, but the casino owner and gamblers managed to escape. Officials seized in the raid, 92 gambling tables and 14 slot machines. This was the first time a gambling facility had been destroyed in Myawaddy.

An ressident who witnessed the burning of the casino said.

“Thousands of people attended this burning ceremony. The Border Guard Force who provided security for the casino ran away when police raided the facility. The gambling owners are in trouble too.”

Speaking to Karen News, a Myawaddy resident said.

“It is good for these arrests to happen. In the past, people were arrested and charged. The gambling stopped after the arrests. But, later, opened up again. All organizations should participate in order to eradicate gambling. Otherwise, it will be the same situation as before.”

In most of the Townships in Karen State, gambling takes place during celebrations for pagodas, artists, community ceremonies and fund-raising events. According to the governments rules and regulations, the maximum sentence for gambling is two years imprisonment and a fine.