Best Myanmar Betting Sites

Known officially by the name Burma until 1989, the Republic of the Union of Myanmar is a Southeast Asian country, washed by the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal to its southwest. Having a population of around 54 million, its capital is Naypyidaw, while the largest city is Yangon. Meanwhile, the country has experienced a long history of political unrest, with a coup d'état still being active since February 2021.

Betting in Myanmar has long been part of the local culture, way before its independence from British India in 1948. Locals love sports, and football in particular. Yet, all forms of gambling are illegal for them. The 2019 law amendment focused only on the land-based casino market, allowing them to operate for tourists. Although gambling is typically illegal; law enforcement seems to be absent. As a result, most international bookies are accepting local players, without any kind of problems.

Best Burma Betting Sites

Right below, we list the best Myanmar bookmakers. Check out their wide variety of markets on all major football competitions. Moreover, keep an eye on their welcome bonuses as soon as you sign up.

Gambling in Myanmar - 5 Things to Know

• 1
  Locals may only -legally- participate in the state lottery
• 2
  Since 2019, casinos legally accept tourists
• 3
  There is no gambling authority in place
• 4
  Laws are reportedly enforced only in land-based casinos
• 5
  Most international bookies accept Burmese players

General info

⏩Population: 53.500.000

⏩Active players: 7.000.000

⏩Currency: Kyat (MMK)

⏩Regulated gambling products: Casino games, lottery

⏩Operator types: Land-based casinos, state-run lottery, unlicensed online bookies & casinos

⏩Designated authority: No respective authority is in place

⏩Status: Semi-regulated

Online Betting in Myanmar: The Law Framework

Gambling has a long history here, with the first law having been established as early as 1899. The thing is that Myanmar gambling laws left no room for misconception from the very beginning. All forms of gambling were illegal, straight up. Then came the 1986 law. No actual changes took place since gambling kept being illegal in all its forms.

In 2013, the state allowed the operation of casinos under supervision from the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism. Still, they were only operating within hotels and in specific areas. Then came the 2019 Gambling Law, submitted by the Public Affairs Management Committee and approved by Pyithu Hluttaw (the Burmese legislative office) in 2018.

It was eventually passed in May 2019, replacing the GL1986 one. The 2019 law aims towards a more contemporary gambling environment while boosting the economy through tax collection and incoming tourism. Yet, there's still no reference on sports betting; just on casinos, which are now legally operating - but only for tourists.

If a Burmese wants to bet, Myanmar limits its legal options to the Aungbarlay, the state lottery, available both offline and online. However, the authorities seem absolutely indifferent in applying the law. Moreover, there are betting agents who cater for the Myanmar online betting scene. Unofficially, of course, but it’s an everyday reality.

On top of that, many locals are still entering casinos; sometimes ending up having problems when claiming their winnings. Now just add to the above the two self-administered zones, Kokang and Wa. Illegal gambling is taking place in these areas as if there was absolutely no ban. Burmese mingle with tourists in these two chaotic ‘gambling zones’.

Therefore, the locals are short of choice. However, they have absolutely no problem accessing international bookies. The various Myanmar betting sites do not hold any type of local license; sticking to reputable bookies is, therefore, a wise choice. Basically, the only choice one should actually make.

Essential Info for Gamblers

If you are a local, remember that typically it’s illegal to practice any gambling - apart from the lottery. The authorities do not block access to operators, and law enforcement seems to be actually absent. Nonetheless, that should not make you lower your guard.

You will come across many local Burmese betting sites, with many of them being scams. And, since it is illegal to access them in the first place, you won’t have sufficient protection in case a problem comes up. In order to avoid that, just stick to the ones we list in our analysis. Gambling in Myanmar is simply taking place everywhere.

Laws mainly target the land-based sector, over which the authorities also -occasionally- turn a blind eye. Players need to be cautious and aware of what to avoid. Don’t trust betting agents, avoid local non-reputable sites and stay away from casinos.

How to Deposit at Online Bookies

While the Myanmar gambling law leaves no room for misunderstanding, banks do not block any transactions. There is also ongoing instability in the local economy, deriving from the political unrest. Players mostly use bank transfers or credit cards, since there is no blocking from the state when it comes to online gambling in Myanmar.

Internet penetration is also relatively high, with nearly half of the population going online; mainly through their smartphones. However, most of the popular e-wallets like Skrill, Neteller and ecoPayz are not available. eZeeWallet, on the other hand, is offering its services to locals, providing a fast and secure platform for Burmese bettors.

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Also Read: Best eZeewallet Betting Sites

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Overview of Gambling Legislation in Nearby Nations

Evaluating gambling regulations in nearby countries is crucial for online bettors. Despite the proximity, differences can mean that you will be able to make more informed decisions after you grasp the situation: 

⏩ Thailand: With the exception of horse racing and lottery, most forms of gambling are deemed illegal. However, the regulations around online gambling are still ambiguous. As a result, a significant number of international Thailand betting sites have emerged, capitalizing on this obscurity to cater to locals.

⏩ Laos: The state lottery run by the government is the only form that is legal and regulated. However, the local authorities do not pursue law-breakers since a lot of tourists storm the country to visit the casinos. You will also find a lot of Laos betting sites that offer their services to locals online. 

⏩ Malaysia: Despite efforts by authorities to reduce the presence of local sportsbooks accessible to players, there are still numerous international Malaysia bookmakers that actively encourage signups and provide their services without restraints.

The Future of Online Gambling in Myanmar

The 2019 gambling law establishment was definitely an effort to regulate the local scene properly. Yet, Burmese players still have no legal betting options available. Unofficially though, sports betting in Myanmar takes place through agents, as well as online. So, various betting sites in Myanmar still attract many local bettors.

The government's desire to regulate the market and benefit from taxing it, will eventually shape things up. However, the political situation is very unstable and no one can make predictions for the time being. Time will show what the future holds regarding gambling in Myanmar.