Vietnam has strict gambling laws for both online and offline activities, especially for its citizens. Legal gambling is limited to certain state-run lotteries and select casinos that previously could only be entered by foreign tourists. However, the country has adopted a more open attitude towards gambling and there have been some relaxations of laws in recent years, including pilot programs allowing Vietnamese citizens to enter designated casinos under specific conditions. While gambling is generally prohibited, there are few exceptions. The regulations differ depending on whether you’re a local or a foreigner, with slightly more relaxed rules for the latter. The government takes a cautious approach to gambling, primarily to prevent social issues and maintain public order.
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Online gambling remains largely illegal for both locals and foreigners. The government actively monitors and blocks unauthorized gambling websites, and there are severe penalties for those who operate or participate in illegal online gambling activities. However, there are limited legal avenues, such as specific betting on horse racing and greyhound racing and certain casinos focusing primarily on foreign tourists, where some gambling activities are permitted under strict regulations.
Historically, most legal gambling venues in Vietnam were limited to foreigners, particularly in casinos. However, there have been recent changes in policy. Since 2017, the Vietnamese government has allowed local citizens to gamble at specific casinos on a trial basis, provided they meet certain criteria, such as minimum income requirements. This is part of a pilot program aimed at assessing the impact of allowing locals to participate in gambling activities. Despite this, the overall landscape remains restrictive.
As a local in Vietnam, if you wish to gamble online, you would generally have to turn to offshore sites. While some Vietnamese residents do use offshore gambling sites, it’s important to note that this comes with risks, both legally and in of consumer protection. The government has imposed strict penalties for those caught engaging in illegal online gambling, and there are no legal safeguards if issues arise with these offshore sites.
Still, gambling is popular in this country, though it’s obviously a complicated subject from cultural, legal, and societal perspectives. Many Vietnamese people have a cultural affinity for games of chance. Traditional games like bầu cua cá cọp (a dice game often played during Tết, the Lunar New Year) and card games are commonly enjoyed, especially during festive seasons.
Despite legal restrictions, illegal gambling is widespread. Sports betting, cockfighting, and underground casinos are prevalent, though they carry significant risks due to their illegality.
The government has been slowly opening up the gambling industry, recognizing its potential for tourism and revenue, and this includes legalizing betting on international football matches and horse races under certain conditions. Countries in Southeast Asia (SEA) with regulated gambling have demonstrated benefits in the form of revenue through taxes and licensing fees, job and employment opportunities in the industry, and significant tourism boosts.
The operation of land-based casinos in Vietnam is highly regulated. The Ministry of Finance is the main regulatory body in charge of gambling activities in Vietnam. They handle licensing, set regulatory guidelines, and ensure that all forms of legal gambling, like casinos, sports betting, and lotteries, follow the law. The Ministry of Finance also collaborates with other government agencies, such as the Ministry of Public Security, to enforce anti-gambling laws and crack down on illegal activities.
Additionally, the State Bank of Vietnam oversees financial transactions related to gambling, especially managing foreign currency transactions within casinos. The Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism also plays a part, particularly in approving sports betting markets and ensuring that betting aligns with the country’s cultural and social policies.
Vietnam has several land-based casinos, but access is generally restricted to locals:
Corona Resort is located on Phu Quoc Island, this is the only casino where Vietnamese citizens are permitted to gamble legally. The government allows locals to enter under a pilot program that extends until 2024. To qualify, locals must be over 21, earn at least VND 10 million (approximately USD 430) per month, and have no criminal record. Additionally, they must pay an entry tax of VND 1 million.
Situated in Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province, this luxury resort is open to foreigners. It’s one of the largest and most well-known casinos in the country, catering mainly to tourists.
Near Da Nang, Hoiana is another luxury integrated resort with casino facilities, primarily targeting international visitors.
Additional casinos include Aristo International Hotel & Casino in Lao Cai, Crowne International Casino in Da Nang, and Phoenix International Club in Bac Ninh. These casinos are generally restricted to foreigners, with the exception of some Vietnamese who meet the specific criteria mentioned above.
The lottery is the most widespread and accessible form of legal gambling for Vietnamese citizens. Operated by the government, the lottery has been legal since 1999 and is divided into three main regional entities:
These lotteries are widely popular across the country and are seen as a socially acceptable form of gambling.
Sports betting is legal but is restricted to specific events, including horse racing, greyhound racing, and international football matches. The government ed Decree No. 06/2017/ND- to regulate sports betting, but it comes with numerous restrictions:
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Since Vietnam’s reunification in 1975, gambling has been off-limits for Vietnamese citizens. But even with the ban, traditional lotteries, introduced in 1999, have taken off. The government backs these lotteries as a way to fund social development and welfare projects.
Things started to change in the early 1990s when the government approved Vietnam’s first legal casino, Do Son in Hai Phong. The goal was to boost tourism by adding attractions for foreign visitors. The success of this casino led to more approvals for casino projects and electronic gaming clubs, mainly for foreign port holders. Today, Vietnam has 10 licensed casinos and 23 electronic gaming clubs, though most are still off-limits to Vietnamese citizens. The one exception is the Corona Casino on Phu Quoc Island, which is part of a pilot program that allows locals to gamble under strict conditions.
Vietnam’s casino industry today has the potential to further develop and compete with other Asian jurisdictions that have legalized gambling, but the industry has evolved without a clear strategic plan and now faces challenges in regulation and oversight. The Asia/Pacific Group on Money Laundering (APG) highlighted in a 2022 report that Vietnam’s anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorism financing (CFT) supervision is limited, particularly in the gaming sector. As a result, Vietnam was added to the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) “grey list” in June 2023 due to concerns over the country’s increased risk profile.
One of the major challenges facing Vietnam’s gambling industry is the absence of a specific national regulatory agency overseeing the sector. Currently, the Ministry of Finance (MOF), the Ministry of Public Security, the Office of the Prime Minister, and certain provincial authorities are responsible for regulating gambling. However, there is no universal licensing structure that ensures proper oversight of casino operations and the prevention of criminal activities related to gambling.
For a long time, the national lottery was the only legal gambling option available to Vietnamese citizens. Vietlott, the national lottery provider, was established in 2011 just as Vietnam was on the verge of major economic growth. As the economy grew and disposable incomes increased, people started spending more on entertainment, including gambling.
On a typical day, individual lottery ticket vendors can earn around VND 300,000 (approximately US$12.67), and while this is a modest income, it’s still legal. Lottery tickets are sold for around VND 10,000 each, with the vendor keeping about VND 1,000 per ticket.
Even though legal gambling options like the lottery are available, illegal gambling is still widespread in Vietnam. The government has made efforts to crack down on major illegal gambling operations, like the $420 million ring busted in 2018, which even involved high-level government officials. Despite these efforts, the illegal gambling market is believed to be worth billions, largely due to the strong demand for sports betting and other gambling options that aren’t easily accessible through legal means.
The rise of the internet has also contributed to the growth of illegal online gambling in Vietnam. With internet penetration jumping from 34% in 2013 to 75% in 2023, online casinos and sports betting platforms have found new opportunities. Although these platforms are illegal, they still attract a large number of Vietnamese gamblers willing to take the risk.
In 2017, Vietnam took a big step by launching a pilot program that lets locals gamble in casinos, which was a major change from the old law where only foreigners could gamble. This change came through Decree No. 03/2017/ND-, which set the rules for Vietnamese citizens who want to try their luck in casinos.
The program is currently limited to specific casinos, with the Corona Casino on Phu Quoc Island being the most notable one. It’s the first place in Vietnam where locals can legally gamble.
Initially, the pilot program was designed to run for three years. After that, the government planned to assess how it’s impacting tourism, social order, and problem gambling. Depending on what they find, they might extend the program, tweak it, or expand it to other casinos.
The main goals are to keep gambling among locals regulated, cut down on illegal gambling, and bring in more revenue for the state, all while keeping an eye on the social impact.
There are also concerns that this program could lead to more gambling addiction and other social issues. The government has stressed the importance of strict regulations and oversight to help manage these risks.
Online offshore casinos are a popular option for Vietnamese players looking to gamble, especially since local laws heavily restrict gambling within the country. It’s true that looking to offshore operators can be risky, but some of these brands have established reputations and legal status in their own jurisdictions, which means there are compliance and regulation requirements they have to meet to keep the license. These offshore casinos may operate from jurisdictions where online gambling is legal, and they often cater to players from around the world, including Vietnam. While offshore casinos may be legal in their own countries, they operate in a legal gray area for Vietnamese players. Vietnam’s laws strictly prohibit online gambling, and playing at these sites can technically be illegal. However, enforcement is challenging, and many players continue to gamble online discreetly.
Many offshore online casinos accept Vietnamese players and offer websites in Vietnamese, making it easy for locals to sign up and play. They also often popular and local payment methods available in Vietnam, such as e-wallets, bank transfers, and even cryptocurrencies.
Offshore casinos are numerous and Vietnamese players can look for those with a wide range of games, including live dealer games, and sports betting. This variety is often more extensive than what is available through any legal channels in Vietnam.
These platforms often attract players with generous bonuses and promotions, such as welcome bonuses, free spins, and loyalty programs. These offers can be quite appealing compared to the limited options within Vietnam.
While many online casinos outside Vietnam are reputable and safe, there are also less trustworthy sites that could pose a risk to players. That’s why Vietnamese players should do their research and choose casinos that are licensed by reputable authorities like the Malta Gaming Authority or the UK Gambling Commission.
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Finding a good online casino in Vietnam can be a bit tricky, but with the right tips, you can make sure you’re playing on a safe and reputable platform.
Most online casinos accepting players from Vietnam offers a variety of popular internationally available methods like credit/debit cards, bank transfers and crypto, so those are always good options, but it is also possible to find those with locally available methods, which Vietnamese players may find more convenient.
E-wallets like Skrill, Neteller, and PayPal are widely accepted at many online casinos. They’re fast, secure, and keep your banking information private. Plus, they’re perfect for players in Vietnam since they allow for easy transactions without directly involving your local bank.
More and more casinos are accepting cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin. They offer high security, anonymity, and often have faster withdrawal times compared to traditional methods.
Some casinos direct bank transfers or local payment services like ViettelPay or Momo. While these methods are secure, they might take a bit longer for deposits and withdrawals.
Visa and MasterCard are still widely used and accepted at most online casinos. They’re convenient, but keep in mind that some banks might block gambling-related transactions, so it’s always good to have a backup method.
For those who prefer not to use traditional banking methods, prepaid cards like Paysafecardoffer a secure and anonymous way to deposit money into your casino .
MoMo is one of the most popular mobile e-wallets in Vietnam, and it’s widely accepted at online casinos catering to Vietnamese players. With MoMo, you can easily deposit and withdraw funds directly from your smartphone. The app is -friendly, and transactions are typically instant.
ZaloPay is another well-known e-wallet in Vietnam, integrated with the Zalo messaging app, which is hugely popular in the country. It allows for quick and secure deposits, and many online casinos now accept ZaloPay as a payment method. It’s especially handy if you’re already using Zalo for messaging.
Operated by one of Vietnam’s largest telecom companies, ViettelPay is a versatile mobile payment service that’s also gaining traction in the online casino scene. It offers a wide range of banking services, including the ability to fund your casino directly from your ViettelPay balance.
Vietnamese players often use local bank transfers for online casino transactions. Major banks like Vietcombank, BIDV, and Techcombank are commonly ed by casinos that cater to the Vietnamese market. These transfers are secure and familiar, though they might take a bit longer compared to e-wallets.
QR Pay is a fast and secure payment method that is growing in popularity in Vietnam. It allows you to make payments by scanning a QR code with your mobile banking app. This method is particularly popular because it integrates seamlessly with many Vietnamese banks, making it a convenient option for online casino deposits.
NganLuong and BaoKim are two of Vietnam’s leading online payment gateways, similar to PayPal. They a variety of payment methods, including direct bank transfers, e-wallets, and even credit cards. These platforms are widely used in Vietnam for online shopping and services, and they are also accepted by some online casinos.
As the trial program for local gambling continues, there are indications that the government may extend it further, especially given the success of the Corona Casino. Additionally, the Ministry of Finance has taken steps toward greater legalization, such as licensing Vietnam Lottery to pilot a sports betting business for international football tournaments.
However, the future of gambling in Vietnam will largely depend on the development of a more comprehensive regulatory framework. The country’s gambling industry needs a single regulatory body that would oversee all aspects of gaming.
What is likely is that any expansion of legal gambling options, such as extending access to more casinos for locals or allowing online gambling, is sure to be slow and heavily regulated. The government is focused on maintaining social order and preventing gambling addiction, which is viewed as a significant social issue.
