The Junta has initiated the implementation of an online lottery system, which enables individuals
to purchase lottery tickets conveniently at any time and from anywhere, using the Aung Bar Lay lottery application on their mobile phones.
Junta chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing attended the launch ceremony of the online lottery system on June 8. During the event, he emphasized that the system would have positive implications such as increasing national revenue, and fostering the development of digital economic infrastructure.
Ma Khit Thit Nway Oo, a participant in the Spring Revolution, has urged the people to persist in their opposition to the Military Council's lottery sales, highlighting that the funds generated are used to purchase weapons that harm the people.
According to the Military Council, the Aung Bar Lay lottery online application enables users to purchase lottery tickets, make payments, and receive SMS notifications on their mobile phones when the lottery results are announced. The Military Council has announced that in order to facilitate the withdrawal of lottery prizes, smaller amounts will be transferred online and deposited into the bank accounts of the lottery winners.
"I strongly believe,” Ma Khit Thit Nway Oo declared, “.that purchasing the online lottery offered by the Military Council is indirectly supporting the acquisition of weapons, which in turn fuels violence and destruction within our country. The potential profits from buying this lottery pales in comparison to the harm it can cause. Sometimes people fail to comprehend the brutality of the Military Council until it directly affects their own homes, or when they are confronted at their own doorsteps. However even those who may not be directly involved are still indirectly contributing. Therefore I implore the people, to boycott the regime’s lottery,” she said.
Following the military coup, pro-democracy people initiated a boycott of Aung Bar Lay lottery tickets, which resulted in a decrease in income tax revenue for the Military Council. As a consequence, the Military Council had to postpone the lottery's opening date, reduce the prize amounts, and implement installment-based payments for lottery winners.
In contrast, when the National Unity Government (NUG) introduced the "Aung-lan Hlwint Chi, Nway Oo Hti (or) Spring Lottery" online in August 2021, it witnessed an overwhelming response from the public. The lottery tickets were sold out within a matter of hours, as a significant number of people eagerly participated in hopes of winning the lottery.
In October 2021, the Military Council took steps to seek technical support from companies to facilitate the online sale of the Aung Bar Lay lottery. They initiated a request for proposals from various companies that could provide the necessary technical expertise to support the online selling platform.
At present, the Aung Bar Lay online lottery system is under the supervision of the Ministry of Planning and Finance. In addition to relevant ministries and departments, the military-owned
MyTel company is also involved as a partner in the operation of the lottery system.
A pro-democracy activist has urged people to abstain from buying and endorsing the military council's lottery, urging them to persist with a boycott as a form of resistance.
"People must refrain from purchasing or promoting anything associated with the Military Council. The lotteries or beverages sold by the Military Council serve as means to acquire weapons and ammunition used to harm the people. It is crucial to spread the message and urge the public to boycott the current lottery being sold by the Military Council."
Since the coup, the military's defense budget has been allocated in excess of the essential needs of the people, such as education, healthcare, and electricity. Notably, the defense budget for the fiscal year 2023-2024 has risen significantly to over 5,600 billion kyats.
Pro-democracy supporters who stand against the military dictatorship continue to actively engage in the "Blood Money Campaign." This campaign aims to disrupt the revenue streams of the Military Council and discourage the purchase of goods associated with the military-owned entities.
