A Yangon lawmaker has urged authorities to strengthen efforts against online gambling by tracing the financial networks behind betting operations. The proposal focuses on mobile wallets and domestic bank accounts, which are increasingly used to transfer gambling funds.
Mobile Wallets Under Scrutiny
During a Yangon Region Hluttaw session, Kyauktada Township Constituency No. 2 representative Kyaw Min Htet questioned whether existing task forces were effectively addressing online gambling.
He highlighted payment services such as KPay and Wave Money, along with domestic bank accounts, as key channels used to move gambling money. According to the lawmaker, tracing these accounts could help authorities disrupt gambling networks. This approach would be more effective than focusing only on individual offenders.
Yangon Committee Leads Enforcement
Yangon Region Security and Border Affairs Minister Brigadier General Win Tint said a 10-member Online Fraud and Online Gambling Prevention Committee is already operating. It functions under the regional chief minister.
The committee works across districts, townships, wards and villages, with local authorities collecting information and police monitoring suspected gambling activity. Authorities are also gathering information about individuals staying in areas for extended periods, including their occupations and sources of income.
Online Gambling Cases Increase
Official figures show that online gambling cases have increased in 2026. Authorities recorded nine online gambling cases involving 27 people in 2025. By comparison, they recorded 11 cases involving 29 people from January to July 2026.
However, the 2025 figures contain an apparent discrepancy: the reported gender breakdown of 23 men and six women totals 29 people rather than 27.
The government did not confirm whether a dedicated financial-tracing task force would be established. Instead, officials emphasized the existing committee, ongoing monitoring and enforcement activities.
For Myanmar’s iGaming market, the development highlights growing regulatory attention toward the financial infrastructure supporting online gambling. This is particularly true for digital wallets and banking channels.
