Chinese Casino Mafia Ousted from Myanmar Border Town
23:55
29 Nov
A recent offensive by Myanmar rebels has led to the ousting of the Chinese mafia from the notorious casino town of Laukkai, located on the northeastern border with China.
Laukkai, also known as Laukkaing or Laogai, is the capital of Kokang in the northern part of Shan State, Myanmar. It is situated east of the Salween River, which forms part of Myanmar’s border with the People’s Republic of China at its upper reaches.
For the past 14 years, Laukkai had been under the control of powerful warlords, transforming it into a bustling casino hub that attracted more than 100,000 foreign nationals, most of them Chinese.
The casinos in Laukkai were initially developed to cater to Chinese demand due to the lack of options in Mainland China. However, they eventually evolved into a lucrative front for money laundering, trafficking, and scam call centres.
The Chinese mafia, also known as the “four families,” had close ties to Myanmar’s military and had established extensive business networks in the country, with stakes in mining, energy, infrastructure, and casinos in other countries such as Cambodia. They also had links with organised crime networks in the region.
Chinese triad gangs have also been active in other areas of Myanmar, such as Shwe Kokko, a city in Karen State notorious for online gambling, more scamming call centres, and human trafficking.
The Myanmar military has issued many licences for its allies and cronies to run hotels, clubs, and casinos in towns on the border with Thailand and China.
This recent triumph of the rebel group has made swift gains across the region, overrunning more than 100 junta outposts, and capturing at least four towns, including an important border crossing with China.
The downfall of the Chinese mafia in Laukkai has been welcomed by the broader opposition movement in Myanmar.
Over the past month, millions in Myanmar have been enthralled by the drama of the mafia’s end. The town’s leaders have declared a new vision to make their region safe and prosperous, and turn Laukkai into a gaming mecca on par with Macau.
Okay, maybe this is a little optimistic given the current situation, but these border town casinos are incredibly popular.
