The country continues to open more doors for local gamblers
Vietnam is taking another look at allowing locals to gamble in casinos through a revised legal framework currently under consideration. The Ministry of Finance has proposed reinstating and adjusting a pilot program that previously allowed economically eligible Vietnamese citizens to enter casinos, provided they met specific income requirements.
Under the new draft regulations, instead of requiring proof of income—previously set at VND10 million (US$382) per month—locals would pay an entry fee to gain access. The proposed fees are VND2.5 million (US$100) for 24-hour access, or VND50 million (US$2,000) for a monthly pass. The aim is to streamline entry by removing the income documentation, which had proven difficult for both casino operators and visitors to manage.
The earlier trial program, which ran at Corona Resort & Casino on Phu Quoc Island, ended on January 1. At present, no casinos in Vietnam are allowed to admit local players. The updated proposal does not yet specify whether more properties—or all large-scale casinos—would be authorized to accept locals under the revised system.
According to the draft decree, several conditions would apply to Vietnamese citizens looking to participate. They must be at least 21 years old, have full civil capacity as defined by law, and cannot be listed in a self-exclusion or family-exclusion registry. Additionally, all gambling transactions would need to be conducted in Vietnamese dong, both when buying chips and cashing out winnings.
The revised policy is still in the consultation phase, but has received preliminary approval from Vietnam’s politburo. Officials are working to finalize the legal details, which would also include setting a minimum capital investment of $2 billion for any casino project seeking a license.
The government hopes this framework will encourage responsible gaming while also boosting tourism and tax revenue.
