Luang Namtha police seized more than 100 slot machines in a raid as authorities cracked down on illegal gambling operations in Luang Namtha province.
On March 4, police and other government officials inspected restaurants and hotels located in Long and Sing districts, as well the city of Luang Namtha. The move came after RFA’s Lao Service reported in January that authorities in northern Luang Namtha had been allowing Chinese investors to open gambling dens in which most gamblers are Chinese, youths, and students.
Laos has seen a casino building boom as mostly Chinese investors have built several veritable gambling palaces in the country. While the gambling concessions bring in cash for the government, most casino employees and customers are Chinese with a sprinkling of local people.