Why is online gaming allowed when gambling is banned in Laos?

There is a strict ban on all forms of gambling in Laos but it’s common to see people playing cards, ping-go, khoung-khai and online games in their homes. Vientiane Times asked some city residents for their thoughts on the proliferation of gambling games.

Ms Soudchai, a resident of Xaythany district: Of course, gambling is illegal because it’s the source of so many problems. People get addicted to gambling and can’t give it up. Most fall into debt and some turn to crime in order to pay off their debts. This is a big cause of societal unrest and we should stop all gambling so that people no longer suffer.
 
Mr Somphone, a government official in Vientiane: I really worry about the situation now because online games are causing so many problems. It’s good that the authorities have expressed concern about this because I often see children playing these games. Parents should pay more attention to what their children are doing and teach them to understand the risks involved in online gaming. And everyone should respect the law.

Ms Keo Vongsa, a resident of Xaysettha district: I think a lot of people spend too much time gambling online and I feel it’s no longer illegal. It’s common to see students going straight from school to play games online. As soon as they’re free they go and play games instead of helping their parents. It’s like they don’t care about the law. I live in a small apartment and there is an online gaming shop nearby where I always see a lot of young people. They play very late at night and make a lot of noise. I think the authorities should arrest players and fine the owners, and such places should be closed down. If we continue to allow it, we will have problems further down the line.
 
Ms Piyhada, a resident of Chanthabouly district:I think people are gambling too much and I feel it’s not illegal any more. We often see young people at gaming shops. I live in an apartment block and often see my neighbours playing cards or ping-go in their rooms or outside the building. They play very late at night and get quite noisy. But gambling is illegal and the authorities should do something to stop them. I occasionally see officials arresting players and fining them. I think we should get serious about this and put an end to gambling, otherwise more people will have more problems.

Ms Vanthong Keobandith, a resident of Vientiane: There are now many online gaming shops. I’ve seen them near schools, colleges and universities. They call themselves internet cafés but in fact they allow people to gamble online. I’m sure village authorities are allowing this as I have some friends who play and they said they had paid to be allowed to do so. And a lot of people aren’t complying with the Covid control measures. I think these places should be banned because I don’t see what good they do and they only cause problems, especially among young people.

By Lamphone Pasanthong
(Latest Update March 18, 2022)