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Myanmar, or Burma, is a country located in Asia and borders China, Laos, Thailand, Bangladesh, and India. It has long been in the habit of imposing rigid laws on gambling with heavy sentences for individuals guilty of the same crime. But recent changes have been an attempt to lighten the grip imposed on the country, especially with the recent Gaming Law of 2019. This article canvasses the current state of affairs with gambling laws in Myanmar and what the future may hold both for domestic players and foreign investors alike.
This article was written on October 1, 2024, and is based on information available on that date. Because regulations by nature are subject to change, one should consult with local experts for the most current information available pertaining to gambling laws in Myanmar.
Overview of gambling laws in Myanmar
Normally, the history is such that gambling has been illegal in Myanmar, carrying the punishment of up to five years in prison and a fine of 1 million kyat. Things started changing in 2019 when Myanmar passed the Gambling Law that permits certain types under certain conditions. However, an implementing framework for these changes, including actually having a proper licensing system, is yet to be developed. This leaves the gambling landscape in a legal grey area, especially when it involves online gambling.
While technically illegal, the government doesn’t exactly make active efforts to enforce the law in most cases. In fact, many players gamble online without any fear of being prosecuted. But playing at local casinos, which are usually meant for foreigners, may pose certain problems for Myanmar citizens in terms of getting paid out.
Licenses and future prospects
The 2019 Gambling Law was the defining moment for Myanmar’s gambling industry. It allows casinos to legally operate if they cater only to foreigners and thus possibly creates another channel of revenue generation for the government. Until now, though, the new law leaves many of the most important issues undefined, including what type of investment is in need of being put in, regulatory requirements on compliance, and the level at which the participation of local citizens in the business will be allowed. For the moment, only foreigners are allowed to gamble in Myanmar casinos, and locals risk problems if they are found betting in any of these.
While the laws remain vague, the government still seems somewhat welcoming to the idea of further expansion of the gambling market. This might eventually develop into a regulated online gambling market, as the government already reaps benefits from land-based casinos serving foreigners. When authorities decide to develop a regulatory framework, Myanmar might go the way other jurisdictions that have been able to successfully assimilate online gambling into their economies.
Player protections and risks
As it is now, there are no specific protections for players in Myanmar. The effect is that gamblers will then be susceptible to unscrupulous casinos or online websites that do not pay out winnings. While the law prohibits gambling for Myanmar nationals, many people still continue to gamble online through offshore websites. Those who do so, without player protections, are taking a risk since there is little recourse should they find themselves up against fraudulent operators.
For those who do gamble despite the risks, it’s best to use one of the reputable online platforms with good reputations for fairness of play and reliable payouts. It is better to stick with well-known sites in order to minimise the risk of unfair loss of money.
The 2019 gambling law and its impact
The 2019 Gambling Law was seen as a step in the right direction for investors eyeing the Myanmar casino industry. This new law, in fact, for the very first time, legitimises the operation of casinos within the country, granted they adhere to the set regulations by the government. On the other hand, the law has stated that only foreigners can gamble in such casinos, and further details on locals’ involvement in either operating or investing in the industry remain vague.
The new law allows the Union Government to allow and regulate the opening of casinos. Still, the investment, compliance, and capital conditions are not spelled out, which in effect detriments investors from investing due to uncertainty on how to proceed. It is for this reason that casinos in Myanmar have not quite developed as they should be, despite the legal framework to support it.
Final thoughts
The gambling scene in Myanmar actually came of age with the 2019 Gambling Law, which allows casinos for foreigners. However, most of the details are not very clear from the government’s side, and the industry remains largely underdeveloped. Online gambling, while technically illegal, is not policed in active terms, thereby leaving many local players to gamble without fear of prosecution, though at their own risk.
Going forward, the Myanmar government might even further wish to exert more control over gambling, maybe legalising online gambling for locals and licensing it. Such a move would finally offer much-needed clarity for the industry and open new avenues both for players and investors. Till then, anyone who gambles in Myanmar should be extremely careful; the legal and financial risks are just too great.
If you want to know more about this market, read the full market research report here.
